A member of an RNLI station in Norfolk has celebrated its 200th anniversary at a "special" garden party in Buckingham Palace.

Around 2,500 of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) staff and volunteers attended the event in the presence of The Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent on Thursday.

Philip Smith, RNLI lifeboat press officer, water safety volunteer and chair of the station’s management group at Happisburgh RNLI was in attendance.

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He said: "I was immensely honoured and proud to have attended the garden party to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI.

"To be selected to be presented to HRH The Princess Royal was an added privilege made more special by the fact that my father received his gold badge from her 24 years ago for his service to the charity.

North Norfolk News: Philip Smith and his wife Sally outside Buckingham Palace Credit: Sally SmithPhilip Smith and his wife Sally outside Buckingham Palace Credit: Sally Smith (Image: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution/Sally Smith)

"Over the years as a volunteer with the charity I have many fond memories, attending the Buckingham Palace garden party will certainly rank among one of my proudest."

Since the RNLI was founded on March 4, 1824, the charity has saved more than 146,277 lives, equating to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

Today, the RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland.