BILL Houghton gives up around 1,200 hours each year in his role with the St John Ambulance Division to attend numerous high profile events.

He has been a member of the division for 15 years, joining the organisation as a first aider after serving six years with the British Red Cross.

Bill, from Newton, has been a dedicated volunteer for 40 years with various organisations and has previously saved a man’s life at Langtree Park.

He now leads a team of volunteers who have been on service at the Grand National, Haydock Park and the TT road races in the Isle of Man.

Speaking after collecting the Haydock Park Racecourse Emergency Services Hero award, he told the audience: “I don’t like having to save lives because that means the person has a serious problem.

Bill told the Star: “To be honest, I know it’s been presented to me, but it’s for all the other members of the service across the Merseyside area.

“We have doctors, surgeons and paramedics, who are all members of St John Ambulance and offer their services.

“I’m overwhelmed by this and never thought I’d be here.”

Bill joked that when he first received a phone call telling him he had been nominated, he thought it was a wind-up and put the phone down.

“My mother and father would be proud,” he said.

“I lost them both last year, but I know I lot of people who will be chuffed with me getting this.”

Garry Fortune, general manager at Haydock Park, which sponsored the award said: “These are the unsung heroes, people who cover every single race day, 33 days a year.

“In that time, many people fall ill with minor injuries or suffer cardiac arrests.

“These heroes step in every time without fail, when the rest of us would panic.

“I am really proud, therefore, to put our name forward as sponsor.”

Highly commended were Alex Kean and Leanne Davies.