The Marine Awareness Day on Whitestrand last week was “really successful”, with virtual reality making a splash.

The annual event, organised by South Hams police officers, involved police, fire, ambulance, the Marine Management Organisation, the Association of Inshore Fisheries, Conservation Authorities, HM Coastguard, Salcombe RNLI and UK Border Force, took place on Whitestrand car park on Wednesday, April 4.

Virtual reality played its part, with Devon and Cornwall Fire and Rescue officers from Salcombe using VR goggles to show people the dangers of cold water shock and peer pressure, something that proved very popular.

Lifejackets were given their annual check by Ali Jones from Sea n Shore, and advice from all the different agencies was given to help people stay safe on and around the sea.

PC Jo Pengilly, Kingsbridge Police, said: “It was really good, really successful, we had a steady stream of people all day.

“Julian from South Western Ambulance Service was teaching children about CPR and what to do in an emergency, I don’t think he stopped all day and the kids were really taking it in.

“On the policing side, we were able to give crime prevention advice and provide SelectaDNA marking to mark people’s property and make it less attractive to thieves. Overall it was very successful.”

The next Marine Awareness Day will take place around Easter 2019.