John Child - the man who transformed the fortunes of Blackpool's Sandcastle Waterpark- is awarded MBE in King Charles III Birthday Honours List

John Child. formerly the long-serving managing director of the waterpark on South Promenade, was awarded the MBE for services to Tourism, to People with Disabilities and to the community in Blackpool.

John, 60, could hardly have imagined this scenario when he first joined the attraction in 1986 as a 23 year old lifeguard, just weeks before it first opened.

But over the decades he oversaw a transformation from a council-run leisure pool which was proving a drain on the authority’s resources, to one of the resort's most popular visitor destinations and the largest indoor waterpark in the UK.

Last year it had its most profitable year ever as holidaymakers flocked back to Blackpool after lockdown, delivering a £900,000 dividend to the council to be reinvested in services.

John said that one of the things he was most proud of was being able to create a disabled- friendly environment to ensure the water park is fully inclusive for all its patrons.

However, 36 years after first joining the attraction and 25 years after taking the helm, he decided to step down last year.

The father-of-three left in place a thriving amenity which has become a major asset for Blackpool and its tourism industry.

John, a former chairman of the Aiming Higher Children’s Disability Charity, said of his MBE: “I didn’t expect anything back, but it was nice to get that recognition.

"We have created a culture of inclusivity at the Sandcastle – for our guests and staff – and I am particularly proud of that.”

Another Fylde coast award recipient was civil servant Gill Andrew, manager of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Job Centre in Fleetwood.

Gill was awarded the Order of the British Empire (BEM) medal ‘For Public and Charitable Services in Fleetwood’.

She said:"I was absolutely astounded and shocked I had been nominated and even more so that I had been awarded this honour. It was a very emotional evening in my home as I shared the news with my children.

“My quote to them was ‘people like me don’t get things like this’ and they said I deserved it. To this day I still feel overwhelmed but extremely proud.”