VOLUNTEERS at Dawlish Museum are gearing up for this season’s opening which will feature the 30th anniversary of Dawlish footballers winning at Wembley.

Despite the building being covered in scaffolding, the museum will be open as usual from June 3.

New for this year is a feature celebrating 30 years since Dawlish footballers went to Wembley and won.

The players, Dawlish Town Sports and Social Club, made it all the way to Wembley in 1996 when they reached the final of the Carlsberg Pub Cup for that season.

The nail biting game was on May 12 1996.

At full time the teams were drawing 0-0 and Dawlish eventually won 4-2 on penalties.

The crystal glass winner's trophy takes pride of place in the museum exhibit as does the strip they wore on the day.

The final was covered extensively at the time in the Dawlish Gazette.

Museum staff are keen to help identify members of the winning team featured in photos from the time. This year the museum continues its feature on the much-loved shops of Dawlish and Dawlish Warren, past and present.

Many residents will remember such stores as Woolworths, Hintons and the World Stores, alongside long-standing businesses that are still thriving, including Gays Creamery which is now more than 100 years old.

There is also a salute to a couple of Dawlish stalwarts including Doctor Perkin, covering his time in relieving prisoner of war camps in WWII before becoming a GP in Dawlish.

Sylvia Tall who organised the Carey singers, and was a leading light in Dawlish Operatic Society also features.

All the usual displays are updated and the Storm Room, recounting the devastating 2014 storm, continues to be of great interest along with Piper Bill Millin, the town’s D-Day hero.

For children, there is a cygnet trail and dressing up among activities.

The museum opens Wednesdays to Fridays from 11am to 3 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 1pm.

As it receives no government funding, there is a small entry fee of £2 for adults, £1 for children and senior citizens and £5 for a family of four.