COASTGUARDS have just moved into a new home based in Dawlish.

The volunteers have been busy getting the new premises, a unit near Sainsbury’s, ready to become operational.

A spokesman said: ‘We are very excited to be moving into our new station at Dawlish today.

‘We have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition and are now set up and ready to serve our local communities and respond swiftly to search and rescue incidents within the Dawlish, Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth area.

‘Over the past few months we have been busy training new coastguard volunteers so we can continue to provide the same high level of help and assistance to those who need us.’

The move from Teignmouth to Dawlish had prompted some criticism as coastguards had been in Teignmouth for 200 years.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: ‘The Teignmouth Coastguard Rescue Team will be moving to a new station, at Dawlish.

‘The site at Dawlish was selected following a comprehensive search for a new site in Teignmouth, however, a new and suitable site to support the work of our coastguard rescue team was not found in the town.

‘A decision was subsequently made, with funding secured, to select Dawlish as a new base for the team.’