Adam's on crest of a wave after MBE for saving lives

Adam Gray, deputy station officer at Dunbar Coastguard Rescue Service, has received an MBE for services to maritime safety in East Lothian.

A joiner by trade for McCarthy joiners in East Lothian, Mr Gray has been a member of the coastguard since the age of 16 and has been on 24-hour emergency call ever since.

He originally joined the Cockburnspath team in November 1970 but moved to the Dunbar team after his marriage.

The award came for the grandfather-of-four after 40 years of service with the Coastguard Rescue Service, during which he has received two chief coastguard commendations.

His involvement in the 1996 rescue of four people from a sinking yacht in the North Sea warranted the first of these, and is the 57-year-old's most memorable rescue.

Seven years later, in 2003, he was awarded a second commendation after saving two sailors from a Dutch boat when it crashed into the rocks at Dunbar Castle.

Upon receiving the honour, Mr Gray said: "I wasn't expecting it at all, but I'm delighted and it's great for me and for the other guys on my boat."

A spokesman for the Coastguard Rescue Service said: "Addy epitomises the ethos of the Coastguard Rescue Service, quiet, unassuming, hard working, doing the job for all the right reasons - to help anyone in difficulty on coast or cliff."

He added: "As well as being a stalwart of the rescue side of the Dunbar team, Addy has put a tremendous amount of effort into bringing to public attention just what the Coastguard does and important safety messages."

Mr Gray also helps police look for missing people and has been involved in a variety of rescues.

Mr Gray was born in Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders, less than a mile from the North Sea and close to the nearby fishing village of Cove. Educated at Cockburnspath Primary School and Eyemouth High School, Mr Gray went on to pursue a career in joinery, which he has remained in ever since.

He is married to Essie, with whom he has three children - Susan, Kelly and Ricky - who have gifted them four grandchildren.

He and his wife have lived in Dunbar for over 30 years.

Mr Gray likes to play football in his spare time and during his off-duty time he is heavily involved in Coastguard training.

Speaking of how he came to receive the honour, Mr Gray said: "Some colleagues of mine in the Coastguard recommended me for the award after the celebration for 40 years' service."