AN RSPCA inspector who devoted much of his life to working on Dartmoor died of cancer on August 12.

Tony Booth, RSPCA chief inspector for Devon, was the country's longest-serving RSPCA inspector still working in the field.

He developed a great love of Dartmoor and was never happier than when out on the moor working with farmers, commoners, auctioneers and other welfare groups associated with Dartmoor animals.

Mr Booth was instrumental in setting up the Dartmoor Emergency Team, which trained RSPCA inspectors in the map-reading and survival skills needed to rescue stricken animals on a snowbound moor. He also gave regular presentations on the RSPCA's work and animal welfare legislation to Devon and Cornwall police recruits.

Mr Booth developed strong links with the annual pony sales, which he attended every year to monitor the welfare of the ponies. Only last year, he set up a meeting with interested parties including the National Park Authority, the commoners and the RSPCA's national equine veterinary expert to progress the development of a pony management plan.

Each year, Mr Booth would take the RSPCA horse ambulance to the Bath and West, Royal Cornwall and Devon county show, and raise the profile of the organisation.

He received an outstanding number of awards, 13 commendations, 20 certificates of merit, five bronze medals and the silver medal, all for animal rescues.

Mr Booth received the Dartmoor Emergency Medal in 1978, after rescuing animals during a particularly harsh winter. He also received the Sea Empress Commendation and the Flood Rescue Medal for the year 2000. He was also given the RSPCA's Anderson Plumbe award in 1976 for his outstanding work as an inspector.

Mr Booth was born in Bradford, Yorkshire in 1943, one of seven children. He was brought up in an RSPCA household as his father David was also an inspector.

Tony undertook temporary postings in Harrogate, Stoke-on-Trent and at RSPCA headquarters in London, and was then posted to Grantham. In 1971, he moved to Bristol, was then promoted to chief inspector and moved to Plymouth in 1976.

Mr Booth leaves a wife, Stella, and two sons and three daughters.