The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has become an official Coast Path Passport stamping point partner of the South West Coast Path.

This new partnership allows trail visitors to collect different stamps at NCI stations stretched over the 630-mile route.

National Coastwatch has 24 of its 60 stations along the South West Coast Path.

The dedicated volunteers at these stations ensure the safety of seaside greenhorns and sea veterans alike by maintaining a daily visual and radio watch.

The South West Coast Path Association instituted the Coast Path Passport 18 months ago.

The objective was to render the nine million visitors who use the path yearly with a memorable keepsake of their journey.

It doubles as an incentive for walkers to discover and support local businesses and communities along the trail, fostering their share in the £520 million the trail bestows on the local economy annually.

The stamps, emblematic of each unique section of the path, can now be accrued from over 135 stamping points.

Somerset County Gazette: This new partnership allows trail visitors to collect different stamps at NCI stations stretched

Julian Gray, director of South West Coast Path Association said: "We’re really excited to be working in partnership with the National Coastwatch Institution.

"The stations are ideally positioned along the Path and hark back to the original use of the Coast Path when it was used by the coastguard and customs and excise to look out for smugglers."

With most of the NCI stations open every day, Sarah Gunn, business engagement at the charity added: " We’re sure that walkers will enjoy finding out more about the NCI’s work from its volunteers, as well being able to pick up their passport stamp and some more information about the work we do as a charity to care for, champion and connect people and local communities to the amazing health and wellbeing benefits of the iconic South West Coast Path."

Stephen Hand, chair of the National Coastwatch Institution, noted: "For us that means staying safe and all our stations along the trail are now looking forward to giving a warm welcome to even more walkers, whether they are stopping for a passport stamp, a brief rest, or to check information about the local conditions."