A PROPERTY developer is hoping to reignite interest in the story of Trout sisters from Hallsands for future generations as she tries to get their story back in print.

Amanda Lubrani developed Prospect House in South Hall-sands and fell in love with the story of the Trout sisters.

Now she is trying to get their story back in print to 'keep the incredible local history of Hallsands and the Trout sisters alive and available'.

The story of the sisters who led extraordinary lives seems more like the plot of an epic Hollywood blockbuster than life in a fishing village in the South Hams.

'Sisters Against the Sea' tells the story of the four Trout sisters, Patience, Ella, Clara and Edith who lived in Hallsands.

Their story stems from one of the worst man made environmental disasters to hit our shores.

The peaceful and idyllic lives of the fishermen of Hallsands and their families became a thing of the past when, in 1897, dredgers remo-ved tons of shingle from the foreshore to make concrete for the Royal Naval Dockyard in Plymouth.

The fishermen's prot-ests were ignored and gradually the village suffered more and more as gales and storms took their toll on the coastline around the villages.

The final destruction of the small hamlet came in 1917 during a fierce easterly gale. By the end of the year only one house remained inhabitable.

The sisters faced a bleak future following the demise of the village and, later, the death of their father.

But they went to great lengths to rebuild their lives.

They took to the sea and built themselves a new home in the shape of Trouts Hotel, with Ella gaining an OBE for bravery along the way.

Sisters Against the Sea came to fruition when Clara's son Frank Milton decided to set the record straight after he became concerned at the inaccuracies of previous accounts of the sisters lives.

With the help of his wife Ruth they told the real story of the Trout sisters which was originally printed in 2007.

Amanda said: 'It is paramount to me to keep the incredible local history of Hall-sands and the Trout sisters alive and available.

Their ingenuity, strength and intrepid courage are an inspiration and to be marvelled at.

'Prospect House is a testimonial and a memorial to their past and this great book is part of their legacy.

'It is beautifully written and full of fascinating photographs which will enlighten any reader to understand the life they and the villagers experienced.

'We can't let Sisters Against the Sea disappear. It's part of Devon's heritage and should continue, educating and giving pleasure to all who learn it.'

The book is now no longer in print but Amanda has managed to convince the publishers to get it reprinted if there is enough interest.

To reserve your copy of Sisters Against the Sea for £12.99 email [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01823 653775.

All author royalties will go to the RNLI.