RESIDENTS in Calstock feel a big 'weight' has been lifted, after Royal Marines were called in to rescue cars trapped behind the landslip at Lower Kelly last week.

The two-day operation saw 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, based in HM Naval Base in Devonport, ferrying cars from Calstock Quay down the river by landing craft to Cotehele Quay.

After the retaining wall carrying the road out of Lower Kelly collapsed on Christmas day, cars that were parked beyond the landslip were unable to get out.

Cornwall Council paid for the use of hire cars until a decision was made to request the help of the Navy, and last Wednesday and Thursday Royal Marines flanked the two quays, recovering around 50 cars.

The mission was thanks to the initiative of 10-year-old Charlie Southcott who, after meeting Commodore Graham Little at a carol service and receiving his business card, suggested to perplexed council members they asked the Navy for help, giving them the Commodore's contact details.

Charlie's mother Vanessa, who lives in Lower Kelly and had a car rescued, said: 'It was really weird to drive the car away from Cotehele, after having not driven it for a while — it's really good to have it back.

'You can just feel everyone's relief in the road, it's just like a huge weight has been lifted.

'We were worried about the whole thing and now it is one less thing to think about.

'The marines were so lovely and so good — they couldn't have done more for us.'

Colonel Garth Manger, commanding officer of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, said: 'We train to move vehicles and personnel by landing craft on and off beaches and slipways like this.

'However, we don't normally move civilian cars, we are more used to moving military four-wheel drive vehicles which are higher riding.

'This produced extra challenges in making sure cars could get safely on and off the slipway vis landing craft.

'There was also the fast running river and the tide to take into account.

'But it was all within our expertise and my Royal Marines took it in their stride — they are ideal for this kind of work.'

Charlie has also been enjoying his new found fame after gaining national press coverage on TV, radio and in the papers for his part in the rescue mission.

He has since been invited to join Commodore Little for tea and cakes at Drake House, and after saying in a television interview that he wanted to be a train driver when he grows up, First Great Western has invited him to have a go on a train simulator used to teach new drivers.

Vanessa said: 'He had an amazing week.

'It's like all his dreams have come true — he's absolutely over the moon.'