A search and rescue crewmember from RNAS Culdrose has been awarded the UK’s second highest medal for bravery, the George Medal.

Winchman Sergeant Tony Russell, a member of 771 squadron at the Helston naval base, was involved in the rescue of two yacht crew off the coast of Cornwall in July 2011.

He was part of a four-man team who went to the aid of the Swedish yacht Andriette and its Dutch crew, who were forced to abandon their yacht and take to their life raft off the Isles of Scilly after getting into difficulties in gale force winds and rough seas.

One of the men had to be pulled from the water, when the raft then capsized.