FIVE Land Rovers have been donated to Dartmoor Rescue Groups to help in their rescue efforts.

The vehicles were donated by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service after they became "surplus to requirements."

Alec Collyer, chairman of Dartmoor Rescue Group, said: "We are extremely grateful to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in thinking about our needs as a charitable organisation.

We look forward to receiving the land rovers and putting them to good use in the future when rescuing injured or lost people."

The official handover for the Land Rovers is taking place this Saturday, November 14, between 9am and 10am at Pork Hill above Tavistock.

The DRG consists of four teams, plus the main original charity.

Normally two teams respond to callouts leaving two as a back-up in case of an extended operation.

Robert Steemson, press and media officer for DRG, said: "Joint training with other key partners is vital as each team will tend to work in its own geographical are, but may need to work anywhere on Dartmoor to support other Dartmoor Search and Rescue teams.

“Depending on the number of people who require rescuing or the area to be searched, a callout may consist of one, two or three teams and usually at least one team is kept as a back-up in case of an extended operation."