AHEAD of their appearance providing first aid cover and demonstrating life saving skills at the Safety on Dartmoor Day on Sunday, June 23, St John Ambulance's Okehampton unit is on the lookout for new volunteers.

The group has members drawn from as far afield as Hatherleigh, North Tawton, Tedburn St Mary, Shebbear and Chagford.

The unit's duty co-ordinator Will Kivell said: 'The last few months have seen many of our more active members leave St John Ambulance for various reasons, such as starting university, increased work commitments and retirement.'

Volunteers from the country's leading first aid charity provide essential first aid cover for many events on Dartmoor and in the surrounding area.

During the summer months they find themselves particularly busy, attending agricultural shows, point to point events, music festivals and concerts.

They also put their first aid skills to good use at events outside of Devon.

Mr Kivell said: 'We regularly support other units in the south west region and earlier this year, we all travelled up to London where we provided cover at the finish line of the Virgin London Marathon.

'We'd be very happy for some new volunteers to join us, to ensure that we're able to continue providing first aid cover for so many events and maybe even be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.'

St John Ambulance's Okehampton unit currently has 15 adult members, of whom around half give their free time to provide voluntary first aid cover.

If you would like to join their ranks, you can meet the team at the Safety on Dartmoor Day at Lydford Gorge on Sunday, June 23 between 10am and 4.30pm.

To find out more about St John Ambulance and first aid training visit http://www.sja.org.uk">www.sja.org.uk