THE chairman who has presided over a dramatic rise in income for Malvern's branch of the RNLI has said he wants to continue raising more than £20,000 a year.

Since Peter Edwards (pictured) became chairman and secretary of the Malvern fundraising committee in 1997, the branch's annual income has doubled from £6,000 to £12,000.

His achievement was recognised at the RNLI's regional conference on June 12 at Shenstone, near Kidderminster, at which he was awarded the RNLI's Bronze Badge.

His wife, Diana, is souvenir secretary and last year added £10,000 to the £12,000 raised from other activities with souvenir sales alone.

Mr Edwards, who has been raising money for the organisation for seven years, said it is vital that the RNLI was funded properly, as it rescues an average of 19 people daily and does not receive Government funding towards its £103 million annual running costs.

The retired personnel manager said: "We appreciate the support we get from the Malvern populace and the surrounding villages."

He also praised his wife for "aiding and abetting" him and for introducing stalls at the annual caravan show at the Three Counties Showground, which raise around £2,500.

As well as selling gifts, crafts and notepads, the charity benefits from being part of the Midland Charities Association, which raises £26,000 through selling cards in Malvern Library in the run-up to Christmas.