A NEW series of events will be held supporting local businesses in the Yelverton area following the launch of the Dartmoor First award.

Dartmoor First is about encouraging all Dartmoor businesses, not just tourism enterprises, to recognise their commitment to looking after the moor and sustaining its special qualities.

Richard Drysdale, sustainable tourism officer from Dartmoor National Park Authority, will be holding a talk at 7pm on September 15 at Sampford Manor Farm in Sampford Spiney. He is to discuss exactly what this award means to Dartmoor, how to apply and what benefits it may give to businesses who are awarded Dartmoor First.

Joining Richard will be local businesses who are recipients of the award as well as the Dartmoor Farmers' Association — Dartmoor First winners — who will be on hand to offer their Dartmoor pasties as part of the evening's refreshments.

There will be a networking event 'Think creative — Art in the workplace' on September 22 at Buckland Abbey, a talk about the current economic situation by Exeter professor Alison Wride on October 6 at the same venue, an evening with the Devon Green Tourism Business Network on October 20 at Horrabridge and a Website Health Check Workshop in November.

For further information about Dartmoor First or to register for any of these events call Susanne Martin on 01822 854061.