AROUND 20 West Devon farms will be visited by volunteers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds from April.

The project will give farmers free advice on what birds are on their land. The farmers, who have all volunteered to take part, will get computer printouts showing where the birds are.

'They are not obliged to follow the advice, but it may help to conserve wildlife,' said Jenny Auber, regional project co-ordinator. Volunteers will visit four times a year for half a day to record what birds they see and where.