SOUTH Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit together with National Trust – South Devon Countryside, held another successful Big Night Out on the beach at South Milton Sands last Saturday.

Around 550 people set up camp to participate in activities from late afternoon into the evening. The theme this year was ‘Secrets of the Sea’ and the overall aim was to educate families about wildlife living on the beach and in the sea.

Activities on offer included organised rock pooling, snorkelling, treasure hunts, hula hooping, beach volley ball and table tennis. Children also made beach necklaces and jam-jar lanterns to carry in the parade. Also on offer were taster water-sports sessions with Surfin Sam.

AONB communities officer Nicky Bailey said: ‘Once again the weather was amazingly kind to us at the Big Night Out and the event was a great success! The highlight for most of us was the Sundowners lantern parade with the amazing willow sculptures made with help from Bantham class, Year 6 at Thurlestone primary school.

‘Each year the event gets better and better. There was such a good atmosphere and everyone enjoyed seeing the sunset over our beautiful AONB - we were very lucky!’

National Trust Ranger Lorna Sherriff said: ‘Big Night Out on the beach is an amazing event to celebrate the end of the summer and each year hundreds of people join us on this beautiful beach to have fun, watch the sunset and enjoy the special atmosphere of staying on the beach into the darkness.

‘There is a magical feeling when you join in with the Sundown parade, walk down to the water’s edge with your decorated lantern following the brightly lit sea-themed sculptures made by the local school children, then heading back up the beach in the dusky gloom to sit around the camp fire and listen to the storyteller.

‘It was fantastic to see so many people at the event really enjoying the whole array of activities on offer and to hear the great feedback from the visitors.’

Look out for more events in the South Devon AONB during Outstanding Week, from September 17 - 25. For further information, visit the website landscapesforlifeevents.org.uk.