THE National Trust, in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority, local rescue charities and branches of the emergency services, held their first ever safety day at Lydford Gorge on Saturday.

On the day there was the opportunity to meet local fire fighters, police officers, air ambulance crew, members of Dartmoor rescue and National Park rangers.

Fay Langston, visitor services officer at Lydford Gorge, said: 'This was a great opportunity for visitors and locals to come and meet people who run our local emergency services on Dartmoor and to see first hand how they carry out rescues.'

The day included demonstrations and live rescues from the gorge, including red watch cliff rescue from Camelshead Rescue and Dartmoor Rescue.  There was also an opportunity to meet the Dartmoor Rescue dogs and have a go on emergency simulator machines.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority Ranger Service was pleased to be involved with the Safety on Dartmoor Day at Lydford Gorge. Rangers work in partnership with the emergency services and rescue charities, sharing information and training in order to provide a better service to the public and ensuring a co-ordinated approach to tackling incidents.

Devon Air Ambulance and the police helicopter also turned up to the event to do a fly past.

PCSO for Tavistock Dave Chapple expressed thanks to the 40 or so people who gave up their free time for the event, including the Dartmoor Rescue Group, the Air Ambulance, Police, Special Constables, ambulance service and PCSOs.