Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman paid tribute to the enterprising farmers and rural businesses in Devon that are creating new business opportunities and supporting rural growth.

The minister, who opened the show, announced a £15 million investment in five Rural Growth Networks - including Devon.

She said: 'The South West is home to some of the most enterprising and innovative entrepreneurs in the country, who have created new opportunities to build up thriving businesses. I'm looking forward to hearing about their experiences today to inform how we can best help every rural business to achieve its potential."

Mrs Spelman also announced that over the next ten years, the £13 million Forest of Dartmoor Higher Level Stewardship agreement will enable hill farmers to create new wildlife habitats and protect the natural environment of the moor. They will receive financial support for continuing the centuries old practice of 'commoning' - grazing livestock freely over Dartmoor - in ways that will help its wild animals and plants to thrive. 

"Dartmoor is a unique area and this agreement, that puts traditional farming methods hand in hand with nature conservation, will help continue a way of farming that has existed for centuries. It's great news all round for the people who live and work in Dartmoor, the thousands of visitors that come to the area every year and the wildlife that it is home to.