The man who has run Teddington lifeboat station since it opened has stood down.

Malcolm Miatt was involved with the station, based near Teddington Lock, from its inception and when it officially opened in January 2002 was appointed lifeboat operations manager (LOM).

He has run the station – which is staffed entirely by volunteers – and helped save 84 people from the River Thames on more than 500 call-outs.

In February, along with other members of the crew, he was invited to meet the Queen at Tower Lifeboat Station.

An RNLI spokesman said: “The RNLI, Teddington lifeboat crew and residents would like to thank Mr Miatt for his years of dedicated service.”

Tim Ody, from MAA Architects in Ferry Road, will become the new LOM.