4 Jun 2011 - It was announced on Thursday, 2 June that NCI Folkestone has been awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).

The QAVS is the equivalent of an MBE, and is awarded to volunteer groups/charities judged to be providing an outstanding service to the community in which they are located.

The citation for the award reads: "For keeping a watch on the sea and shores in and around Folkestone to provide a good response service in emergency situations, the Queens Award for Voluntary Service is awarded to National Coastwatch Folkestone.”

NCI Chairman Alan Richards said: "Congratulations to Tony Hutt and his team for earning this honour, which not only recognises the valuable contribution which they make, but also reflects well on NCI as a whole.”

An inscribed commemorative crystal and certificate signed by Her Majesty will be presented to NCI Folkestone later this year by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett CMG, on behalf of The Queen, and the station will be entitled to use The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service logo.