FUND-raisers, helpers and civic dignitaries gathered in Dartmouth on Tuesday morning to witness the official opening of the new Rowcroft Hospice charity shop by Sarah Clare.

Judy Westacott, chairman of South Hams Council, was present and she was praised by Brian Lethbridge, the chairman of Rowcroft, for her fund- raising efforts on behalf of the charity after she did a sponsored walked from Totnes to Dartmouth last weekend.

Dartmouth town mayor, Cllr Paul Darby, was also thanked for presenting some of the cash he has raised during his mayoral year to the hospice during a recent fact-finding visit.

Before cutting the ribbon, Mrs Clare, the wife of Commodore Roy Clare of Britannia Royal Naval College, said she had enjoyed a very moving visit to Rowcroft.

She added: 'I was highly impressed with the dedication, professionalism and atmosphere at the hospice'. She was presented with flowers by Suzette Payne, manager of the Market Street shop.

Pictured (left to right) at the shop opening are Judy Westacott, fund-raiser Jan Juke, Mrs Sarah Clare, shop manager Suzette Payne, Brian Lethbridge and Dartmouth mayor Paul Darby.