A RESCUE volunteer who has saved six people's lives and was called out to the 2004 Morecambe Bay cockling disaster has retired after 20 years.

Pete Graham has officially retired from Ulverston Inshore Rescue after two decades of service.

The 57-year-old, who works at Gen2 in Ulverston, said his retirement from the emergency service was the 'hardest decision of his life'.

He said: "Reluctantly, after a lot of thinking, I decided it was the right time.

"It's the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life.

"I've made really good friends over the past 20 years. It's a brilliant organisation to work for.

"But I felt it was time for a new, young person to come in."

Mr Graham was an original member of inshore rescue when the team was first set up two decades ago.

He said: "It was fantastic to be in a fundamental area of starting the team and getting it off the ground.

"It's been great to watch the organisation grow from its starting roots.

"When we started it was a team of around 10 people and we used to meet in the Devonshire Arms in Ulverston.

"I'll definitely miss the comradery - they're a great bunch of lads, both past and present."

Over his 20 years of service, Mr Graham has attended hundreds of call outs and saved six people's lives who were in imminent danger.

He said: "I've seen lots of horrible things but also had some great laughs as well.

"I worked out that I've saved six people's lives who were in imminent danger which is what makes it all worthwhile.

"They're able to live another day and be with their families because of me and the team which is very rewarding.

"You go out in all kinds of weather knowing someone's life is at risk right now.

"It can be pretty scary - we've gone out in some treacherous weather conditions.

"You're always thinking this is someone's mum, dad, father, son, mother, daughter - everyone is involved."

Mr Graham said attending call outs such as the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster made him appreciate the fragility of life.

He said: "I remember one of my first major call outs was the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster in 2004.

"To see what had happened was just horrific. I went into work straight after being out all night.

"It definitely made you think about how precious life is. This role really brings home the fact that you never know what life will bring.

"You never know what's around the corner so you've got to just enjoy every day as it comes."