River users are being warned to give a wide berth to dozens of Navy cadets who will be firing blank ammunition on the River Dart in a series of exercises over the next three days.

Seventy-five cadets from Britannia Royal Naval College are taking part in the exercises in various locations around the harbour in Dartmouth from now until 4pm on Friday February 12.

Helicopters and the police will also be involved, along with the use 20 small naval craft. Safety boats will also be in attendance and some vessels may exceed six knots for short periods, to help with training.

A notice to mariners on the Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority’s website warns harbour users to give participating vessels a wide berth and navigate with extra caution during these exercises.

The notice by assistant harbour master Robert Everitt, said: “The firing of blank ammunition in various controlled areas of the harbour will take place, including the possible involvement of helicopters for training purposes and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

“BRNC training staff will be in attendance at all times and for the purposes of the exercises various items of kit will be placed at random locations within the harbour and its facilities.

“These items will be clearly identified as belonging to BRNC and should be left alone if found by harbour users.

“All harbour users are advised to give participating vessels a wide berth and navigate with extra caution during these exercises.”