DARTMOUTH'S paddle steamer Kingswear Castle has celebrated 30 years back in steam on her old hunting ground.

Last Wednesday afternoon members of the Paddle Steamer Preserv­ation Society joined the crew and passengers on an afternoon cruise to cut a cake in celebration of the steamer's three decades in operational preservation and to wish her a successful future on the River Dart.

Known affectionately as KC, the Kingswear Castle is Britain's last coal-fired river paddle steamer.

It was in May 1985 that the ship set out on her first full public excursions since she had left the River Dart many years before.

The 1924-built boat operated on the Dart until 1965 when, becoming too expensive to maintain, she was withdrawn, laid up and replaced by a modern diesel vessel.

Two years later she was rescued by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society who moved her first to the Isle of Wight and then to the River Medway, where volunteers from the society began the long and painstaking task of restoration.

Maritime historian, KC trustee and Paddle Steamer Preservation Society member Richard Clammer said: 'After 12 years' hard work their efforts were crowned with success when the paddler completed her steaming trials in November 1983.

'Two years later, having passed all necessary surveys, the ship was granted her full passenger certificates and commenced public sailings on the Medway and Thames.

'For the next 28 years, this successful programme was constantly refined and the ship carefully maintained and improved.

'Then, an agreement was signed to return the ship to Dartmouth on a long-term charter to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company and, amid emotional scenes, the old steamer returned to the river of her birth on December 18, 2012.

'Brightly painted in her original livery, she re-entered service on Good Friday, 2013, and for the past two years has worked her way into the hearts of locals and visitors alike as she paddles about the river on her harbour cruises and trips to Totnes.'

Mr Clammer said the anniversary was a landmark day for everyone present, including the youngest passenger – his granddaughter Phoebe Redfern.