Life of Dartmoor champion marked

Lady Sylvia Sayer fought against many threats to Dartmoor

Environmentalists in Devon are celebrating the centenary of the birth of Lady Sylvia Sayer.

Lady Sayer, who died four years ago, was a former chairman and patron of the Dartmoor Preservation Association.

She led the fight against many threats to the moor, including clay quarrying, military training and the battle against Swincombe reservoir.

Association chief executive John Bainbridge said there were long-term plans to keep her memory alive.

The association held two walks, leaving from Princetown on Sunday, and they could become a regular event.

"We would like these walks to be an annual event where every year we would walk some part of Dartmoor that Sylvia has saved," said Mr Bainbridge.

"We are also investigating the possibility of having an annual Sylvia Sayer lecture with a big name speaker and that would be open to the public as well.

"I think she would be quite chuffed by all this."