VOLUNTEERS at a vital rescue team had a very special visit today from a member of the Royal family.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent was given a tour of Bay Search and Rescue at their headquarters in Flookburgh, paying tribute to their crucial emergency response during the Storm Desmond floods.

The Duke, the Queen's cousin, was given a ride in one of the team's Hagglund BV206 vehicles and was given demonstrations of the equipment used in the December floods.

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Adrian Swenson, chairman of Bay Search and Rescue, said it was a huge privilege for the team to welcome a member of the Royal family.

He said: "It came as an absolute honour for us.

"We were able to give him information about the organisation. We showed him all of our vehicles and our fleet. We took him out on the sands.

"The visit followed the work we did in the floods so he was interested in what we had done in Cumbria and Lancashire and also what we now do.

"A lot of people think we do just coastal stuff but we are a rescue organisation with the likes of the fire service. It was a great day."

One of the highlights of the visit was when the Duke unveiled a plaque to commemorate the day.