A STALWART of the Teignmouth lifeboat station has stepped down.

Dorothy Gamble has been connected with the RNLI for almost 40 years, and was the driving force behind the setting up of the souvenir shop.

'I doubt anybody could have foreseen how the shop would develop over the last 20 years, and Dorothy can look back and feel very proud of all that has been achieved,' said Lorraine Lizius, chairman of the fundraising team.

'Without her drive and enthusiasm, the shop would probably not have become a reality.

'She was souvenir secretary long before the station reopened, taking the stalls and souvenirs to events, and recruited the first volunteers for the shop. For many years she ran it single handed, and can look back and feel very proud of all that has been achieved.'

Mrs Gamble's dedication has been recognised over the years. In 1983 she received the Life Statuette, the Silver Medal in 1993, and the Gold Medal in 2006.