Teignmouth will be marking 50 years since the discovery of a historic shipwreck just off its main beach later this month.

Teign Heritage Centre will be hosting an afternoon with Simon Burton to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his discovery of the historic Church Rocks Wreck.

Simon was just 13 years old when he discovered a bronze cannon while snorkelling and spear fishing with his father in the water about 150 meters off the Eastcliff shore near St Michael’s Church in Teignmouth.

At first, Simon thought he had found a lamppost, but when his family brought the object ashore they discovered it was the barrel of a cannon. After several more years of searching, the family eventually discovered six cannons and the remains of a 16th century sailing vessel.

The identity and history of the wreck remain a mystery. The cannon found by Simon was identified as a Venetian saker gun and the vessel is believed to have been a two masted, carvel (wooden plank-built vessel) similar to the speedy communications and service ‘Zabras’ that accompanied the Spanish Armada.

At the time, Simon’s story made national news and he was interviewed by Peter Purvis on ‘Blue Peter’. Later, in 1995, ‘Time Team’ made a programme about the wreck.

The 50th anniversary event takes place at 2:30pm on Saturday July 26 with free entry to Teign Heritage.

Simon will talk to visitors about his experiences and answer questions. Teign Heritage will show a short film of his ‘Blue Peter’ interview and display relics from the Church Rocks Wreck.

Local historian Viv Wilson MBE will also be present to sign copies of the book she produced recording the wreck's discovery half a century ago.

Last year, Teign Heritage installed a multimedia interactive screen to enable visitors to see filmed interviews with Simon, a short film made about the wreck by Shaldon Primary School, photographs, research documents, and several maps of the coast and other wrecks.