students at Trinity School, Teignmouth, and parents pushed out the boat to help teacher Rob Larkman, a lifeboatman, collect books for RNLI fundraising.

More than 2,000 books were donated, and when Julie Webber from the lifeboat station, went to collect them, she needed two estate cars and a trailer to take them all away.

'The response to the appeal has been overwhelming – far beyond our greatest expectations.

'The staff, pupils and parents made a fantastic contribution to our fundraising efforts; these books will be sold at coffee mornings and other events, and will raise a great of money for the Teignmouth lifeboat,' said Ms Webber.

The fundraisers are also on the lookout for any unwanted Christmas presents.

Another money raiser, Lorraine Lizius, added: 'If anybody has gifts they don't want, we will gladly collect them, or they can be dropped into our next coffee morning on Saturday, February 12, at the TAAG Centre in Northumberland Place.'

Roger Hawkins is the donations contact, on 01626 777799.