The spirit of Winston Churchill made a surprise visit to Dartmouth Castle to help with the opening of a set of newly renovated areas.

Local historical re-enactor David Clarke addressed visitors as the iconic Prime Minister as English Heritage unveiled renovations to the 600-year-old landmark's visitor reception and retail area ahead of the busy spring and summer season.

English Heritage's Dartmouth Castle open its refurbished shop...with help from Winston Churchill (David Clarke) and re-enactment soldiers Steve Watkins and Phil Trayhorn with Jon Ducker (visitor operations manager, English Heritage) Picture: Richard Austin

Jon Ducker, visitor operations manager at English Heritage, said: "As well as creating a better shopping environment, we wanted to make the most of the castle's stunning panoramic views of the sea and we've definitely achieved this."

The castle is a popular tourist attraction with a rich history dating from 1388. The fortress has been regularly added to through the centuries.

The Old Battery boasts remounted heavy guns and a maze of passages.The castle served as a valuable war tool during the Civil War and continued to remain in service right up until the Second World War. In 1944 an estimated 480 US ships sailed from Dartmouth to the invasion in Normandy.