A Godalming man who discovered a 50-year-old pencil portrait of an RNLI lifeboat crew member in his loft has tracked down the station where he was once based, and handed it over to volunteers there.

Mark Shepherd travelled to Lyme Regis to present the portrait to crew members.

Mr Shepherd's grandmother, Camille Moore, lived near Lyme Regis, and is believed to have drawn the portrait of John Hodder during an art class at school in the town in the 1970s.

He kept the portrait in his loft, but when he saw the name John Hodder on the back, and the obvious signs that the subject was a lifeboat crew member, he decided to contact the RNLI.

Mr Shephard said: "My grandmother was a very keen artist, and I have other examples of her work. It seemed only right that the portrait should come home to the RNLI in Lyme Regis."

Mr Hodder, 76, was unable to attend the presentation, but said: "I am very grateful to Mr Shephard for his donation of the portrait and would like it to remain at the lifeboat station as a reminder of my years of service with so many superb colleagues."

Mr Hodder served with the RNLI in Lyme Regis for 20 years and was recognised for several acts of courage during rescues at sea. Crew members who served with Mr Hodder were known as 'Hodder's heroes.

Story and photo courtesy of LymeOnline. See the original story here.