Kind-hearted holidaymaker John Baker has donated a rare piece of crested china to Exmouth’s museum. Last week he selflessly donated a china ambulance carrying the town’s crest to Exmouth Museum.

The pensioner from Cheltenham has donated a rare piece of crested china to the town’s museum.

Retired insurance broker John, 80, had an extensive collection of the china until he set a quest to give the ornaments to the corresponding towns.

Last week he selflessly donated a china ambulance carrying the town’s crest to Exmouth Museum.

He said the piece - stamped on the bottom with ’28 The Strand Exmouth. WH Newberry’ – was a ‘rare’ object.

Widower John, who was last week holidaying in Sidmouth, set upon the idea of donating the pieces before his much-loved wife of 53 years Barbara died five years ago.

The couple, who were watercolour painting enthusiasts and supporters of Brunel’s SS Great Britain, took ‘great pleasure’ from giving their collectables away.

Father-of-two John said: “It’s been a great joy to be able to give.

“We collected all sorts of Mauchline ware. And we had hundreds and hundreds of these things.

“The ambulance is stamped on the bottom. It could be that Mr Newberry sold a lot of it.

“That makes it unique. To find that on a piece of crest china is quite rare.

“Around 20 different companies made the crested china. I have been to Exmouth Museum and they do have a large collection of crest china, so they know what it’s all about.”

Mr Baker said he believed the piece was worth around �30 and could be English.

Alan Arthur, head of documentation at Exmouth Museum, said china carrying the town’s crest was a rare find because it was not bought by locals and holidaymakers used to take it home as a souvenir.

He said: “We are delighted to receive this. It will be an addition to our small collection of commemorative china.”