That's the way we do it down Dartmouth Castle way – when your cannon is suffering from cobwebs.

Yes, you get your feather duster out. And all the better if it's a multi coloured one.

At least that is what Dartmouth Castle historic property steward Erik Struben reckons and he is not afraid to wield one when the occasion demands.

Eric was captured in action dusting off one of the castle's five large cannons by Sue Williams while she was paying a visit to the historic site.

Erik, who lives in Totnes, is one of four stewards whose job is to hand out the tickets as well as keep the popular castle site spic and span for visitors – which means keeping all the cannons on the site in top notch condition.

There are five large cannons and a whole battery of little ones to keep in order at the English Heritage-owned castle which sees up to 35,000 visitors a year, said site manager Merry Stephens.

For the full story see this week's Dartmouth Chronicle