Five years ago, after years of fundraising, the Holsworthy division of St John Ambulance managed to buy a new Crusader ambulance.

Unfortunately they had no garage for it so for some time the ambulance was kept in various locations in the town centre, running the risk of being seriously damaged by vandals, as indeed happened on one occasion.

Three years ago Martin Prentice, a former Town Clerk and councillor of Holsworthy, allowed the ambulance to be kept at his home at Southbank while members set about raising the £41,000 needed to build a garage. Discussions took place between Torridge District Council and the Devon County St John Ambulance and it was agreed that a site could be leased in Well Park car park.

The garage was built by J E Stacey & Co Ltd and the electrics were installed by Wonnacott and Prouse, both local firms.

As a result last Sunday afternoon members of the Holsworthy unit, county officers, as well as people from the local community gathered in Well Park where, after the Rector, Father Michael Reynolds had given a blessing, Martin Prentice officially opened the brand new garage on a site adjacent to the other emergency services.

The chairman, of the management committee, Robert Painter, said they really appreciated the way in which the town and district had responded. They had received a loan of £10,000 from the county headquarters and the rest had come from the community and local bodies who had given them "fantastic support". With £3,000 still to be paid, they were still fundraising.

After the brief ceremony, refreshments were served in the nearby Scouts' and Guides' headquarters.