A BIG thumbs up was given to a 'Safety on Dartmoor' day, staged by the National Trust and local emergency services at Lydford Gorge recently.

In spite of the chilly and windy weather, more than 800 visitors enjoyed meeting the men and women involved in keeping visitors and local residents safe on Dartmoor. 

Fay Langston, visitor services officer, said: 'It was an amazing day with a real buzz about the place and visitor numbers up on last year's event. 

'The emergency services enjoyed catching up with each other and visitors chatted away, met the rescue dogs and watched demonstrations by the fire brigade. 

'The small volunteer army of air cadets all did a fantastic job organising the parking with so many visitors to the event.'

For a second year running the local emergency services had been invited to showcase their work, with fire engines, police cars and ambulances for the children to explore; and a chance to meet rangers from Dartmoor National Park and the dogs from Dartmoor Rescue and K9 Rescue.

During the day, the sky hummed with the sound of the helicopters from Devon Air Ambulance and a spectacular fly-past by Air Sea Rescue. 

The National Trust expressed thanks to all involved in the event for making it so successful.  Planning has already started for next year.