Rockfish, a South West seafood chain, has totalled £150,000 across its six sites since opening in 2010, all from £1 discretionary bill donations.

Those in Dartmouth reaping the rewards this year are the Dart RNLI and Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust, who both received cheques for £7,000.

Mitch Tonks, who runs the restaurants, visited the young Dart sailors in action last week, in six dinghies baring the Rockfish logo, two of which were donated last year.

Chairman of the trust, Ian McClelland, said they are hugely grateful for the “enormously generous” donation: “For the children who are getting the chance to sail it really is a life-changing opportunity.”

The Dart RNLI were able to run two boats this year from previous Rockfish donations, as well as providing training for the second boat’s crew.

Bob Gilbert, Dart RNLI fundraising branch chairman, said he hopes other businesses in Dartmouth follow in the restaurant’s footsteps, to help cover the organisation’s growing costs.

He said they were able to start using the second boat a month early, in record time, which has been used many times since.

Mitch said: “We started doing this when we opened nearly 10 years ago because we wanted to make a difference that was really positive to our local community.

“I’m blown away by the generosity of our guests and by the interest in what we’re doing and who we’re helping.

"We knew it would be a good thing to do but really had no idea how much would be raised and how much the local organisations appreciate what we’re doing.

“It’s our pleasure and privilege to be able to do this and be part of the good things happening in our neighbourhoods.”