Intrepid oars woman Jane Trembath, aged 70, battled against blustery conditions to complete her 25-mile sponsored row down the River Dart in aid of the RNLI.

Miss Trembath, using the same 14-foot rowing dinghy she once used to ferry passengers across the RiverFal when she ran her own ferry business at Falmouth in the 1960s, set off from Totnes and reached Dartmouth three-and-a-half hours later.

After a hero's welcome she was entertained to lunch at Dartmouth Yacht Club before departing on the homeward leg.

'It was hard work but worth it. I enjoy rowing and am glad I did it', said the plucky pensioner, who has been a lifelong supporter of the Institution and helps run the charity's stall at Totnes Elizabethan market.

Miss Trembath's row raised a magnificent £1,722.20..