FIVE lifeboatmen who braved severe weather to pull a lifeguard from the sea have been honoured for their courage.

Helmsman Mark Reeves received one of the RNLI's highest awards - the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum. Helmsman Mark Greaves and crew members Thomas McNamara, Jonathan Danks and David Bourne each received a letter of appreciation from the chief executive of the RNLI.

The Redcar Atlantic and D Class lifeboats were launched on August 15, last year, after receiving an initial call that three people had got into difficulty in the water off Saltburn.

The Atlantic was the first to arrive and Crewman Danks spotted the yellow T-shirt of the lifeguard about 30 metres away.

Helmsman Reeves turned the lifeboat into the surf towards the lifeguard, who was spending longer under the water than above it.

The lifeboat manoeuvred alongside and Crewmen McNamara and Danks managed to grab the lifeguard's hands and pull him aboard.

Once on board, he confirmed there were no other people in the water - two other people having managed to make it to the shore.

He was responsive, but very cold and shivering. The D class lifeboat took him back to shore and he was transferred to a waiting ambulance.

Robin Warrington, training divisional inspector for lifeboats in the North, said: "The successful outcome of this service was a direct result of good teamwork and skilful handling of the lifeboats, which meant that the casualty was spotted quickly and recovered from the sea at the first attempt.

"Had the casualty been missed and a second attempt been necessary then it is the belief of the crew that he would have gone under, having been in the water for more than 20 minutes.

"The Atlantic 75 lifeboat was only in the surf for a short time, but needed manoeuvring with considerable skill to ensure the service was carried out safely.

"For this Helmsman Reeves must be applauded."