DARTMOUTH is to get an RNLI visitor centre – the first in the country not located alongside a lifeboat station. After six months of negotiation, the fundraising branch of the RNLI Dart Lifeboat has been successful in finding a suitable property. The Old Post Office building, formerly Fulfords estate agents, at South Embankment will be home to the new centre, which is planned to open its doors next spring. Dartmouth was selected as the preferred location from a short list of three possible UK sites. Amanda Woods, the RNLI's visitor experience manager and overall director of the project, said: 'Once we saw Dartmouth and realised the potential of this beautiful building in South Embankment, I was very confident that we had found the right site. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the local RNLI fundraising team and support for the RNLI in the local area. It was a winning combination. 'I am looking forward to spending much more time in Dartmouth over the next six months, working with local volunteers to make the centre a reality and giving everyone a chance to engage with the story of the RNLI.' It is expected that the fitting out of the premises will be finished in time for an official opening just before Easter next year.'

See this week's Dartmouth Chronicle for more on this story