A SALE of equipment belonging to a Gloucestershire cave rescue stalwart raised £4,500.

Steve Tomalin died, aged 55, in July last year of liver cancer and in his will left instructions that his kit be auctioned off to raise money for cave rescue groups.

The auction at the Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group's (GCRG) depot at Cinderford on Saturday, July 4 was attended by around 120 of his friends.

The sale raised £4,500 which will be split between the Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group, Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation and the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team.

Chairman of the Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group, Paul Taylor, said: "Steve was a very active member of the GCRG and also a very active person in the outdoor world.

"He was not only a caver but also worked in outdoor education and took part in many activities.

"Steve was very much into training and the GCRG share is to be used to provide an extension to our training wall along with a kit washing and drying room."