FOUR decades of service helping to save and protect life on a stretch of North-East coastline were honoured this week.

Coach driver Harry Brown takes something of a busman's holiday when not behind the wheel, as he helps HM Coastguard Volunteers to steer a steady course on rescue duties along the North Sea shoreline.

It was the unforgettable memory of witnessing a disaster at sea from his home town of Seaham that prompted 59-year-old Mr Brown to give up so much to help the volunteer force.

The loss of the Seaham lifeboat, the George Elmy, in a tragedy off the County Durham coast, in November 1962, left a lasting impression on the then teenage Mr Brown.

Having successfully rescued five people from a floundering fishing boat in heavy seas, off nearby Dawdon Colliery, the lifeboat capsized when heading back to port, only 30 yards from Seaham's South Pier.

All but one of the ten people on board perished as the George Elmy went under in stormy conditions.

Harry said: "One of my most vivid memories is standing on the clifftop overlooking the harbour the next day, and seeing the lifeboat house open.

"There was no lifeboat, because by then that was lying wrecked on the beach a quarter of a mile away."

Several years on, with those memories still fresh in his mind, Mr Brown decided to join his local Coastguard station.

It was a move he has not looked back on, as he has gone on to give 40 years service with the volunteer crew.

Seaham's Coastguard station specialises in search and rescue, plus cliff rescue operations, along the stretch of coastline from Sunderland to Crimdon Dene, near Hartlepool.

During his 40 years with the Coastguard, he has taken part in many rescue operations, although there have also been a few lighter moments.

"Once, during a rocket launch drill, we fired a rocket and it went out of control, smashing through my car window, leaving it a burned-out wreck."

In a further incident, he was awaiting a BBC crew to arrive on the clifftop to film a mock rescue operation, when he noticed two boys trapped below by the incoming tide.

"I sounded the alarm to summon the rescue teams and we got the two boys safely up just before the camera crew arrived.

"If they'd got there a few minutes earlier they would have been able to film the real thing."

Although still involved in rescue operations, with 20 assignments logged so far this year, most of his voluntary time is spent training and giving safety talks to Sea Cadets and schoolchildren.

Station officer Justin Lawrence said 40 years service was a massive achievement, and praised Mr Brown's tremendous commitment to the job.

"Harry is our mentor - he is always there to offer help and advice. He's also a good friend to us all and we think the world of him," said Mr Lawrence.

Durham County Council chairman Ernie Foster honoured Mr Brown's long service by presenting him with a special certificate at a short ceremony at County Hall.

He described Harry's achievement as inspirational.

"To have devoted so much of his own time to protecting and saving life, often in dangerous circumstances, is worthy of recognition."

He said Mr Brown was a worthy recipient of the county honour.