EMERGENCY services from all over the South Hams came together on Saturday to show off their skills in Kingsbridge to hundreds of people.

Teams from Kingsbridge Police, Kingsbridge and Salcombe Fire and Rescue, National Coastwatch, HM Coastguard, Devon Cave Rescue, Devon Air Ambulance, Salcombe RNLI, St

John Ambulance and Dartmoor Rescue were on the quay to answer questions and explain their roles in keeping the community safe.

Kingsbridge mayor Wayne Grills opened the event at 10am with the 'jaws of life', the tool usually used by the fire service to cut ­people from vehicles, but this time they were put to use cutting through police tape.

Salcombe RNLI moored its inshore lifeboat Joan Bate in the estuary so visitors could have a look around, with a smaller RIB on dry land. Both children and adults tried on the helmets and kit brought along by the team.

Children were able to sit in the police ­vehicles and the Honest Truth campaign car, as well as taking turns in the fire engine. Of course, the flashing lights and sirens

were tested fully by the next generation of emergency service ­personnel.

The mayor was in action throughout the day. Devon Cave Rescue hoisted him in a stretcher, both horizontally and vertically. 'Thumbs up and we let him out, down and he stays there,' was the call from the team. Luckily the team did not listen to the crowd or he would still be dangling there.

Later he donned a riot helmet and shield to help with the line throwing. A member from every service took turns aiming for a life ring, while the police cadets and Cllr Grills ­provided the back-stop.

The provision of the cadets was useful to many of the teams, apart from Dan Ashton from the RNLI, who managed to miss the ring and send the line sailing over everyone's heads to land on the Honest Truth car. If I ever need a line throwing, remind me not to ask him.

Kingsbridge Fire Station declared itself the winner, before passing the lines over for children to have a turn, with many coming ­forward to give it a go. Most were aiming more for the cadets than for the ring, but they were a bigger target in any case.

The event was packed from early on, with hundreds of ­people looking at the displays, finding out about the emergency services and enjoying the great weather in the heart of Kingsbridge.

'It was fantastic to see what emergency service and organisations can do to protect and rescue our community,' said Cllr Grills. 'I had great fun and I hope everyone else did too. Many thanks to the organisers for putting on such a great free event.'

Everyone on the stands was very ­positive about the day and the inter-service cooperation and are looking forward to many more.