Members of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Ashburton) have been awarded Platinum Jubilee medals, to mark the 70th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne.
The mayor of Ashburton, where the rescue team has its base, also attended the event.
More than 30 members of the 60-strong volunteer team received medals as a token of the nation’s thanks.
The awards are part of the UK-wide celebration which has seen Jubilee medals given to members of the armed forces and the emergency services, including voluntary mountain rescue teams across the UK, who have provided more than five years of service.
The dedicated team of volunteers who make up Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Ashburton), provide an emergency rescue service 24-hours a day, 365 days-a-year.
Some of the longer serving members had also received medals during the Diamond and even Golden Jubilees. At this ceremony, six team members received their third jubilee medal which represents a minimum of 25 years of voluntary service from each individual.
Ashburton team leader Martyn Evans said: ‘After the presentation, honoured guests, family members and team members were treated to a buffet and chatted for several hours before heading off home, only to be called out at 4.30am to look for a vulnerable missing person on the edge of Dartmoor. All in a day’s work!’
The Deputy Lord Lieutenant said: ‘It was a privilege to be able to distribute Platinum Jubilee Medals to such a large number of worthy recipients. It was wonderful to see such a gathering of volunteering supported by families and friends.
‘It was a particular pleasure to be able to chat to so many of those present and to learn about their individual roles.’