THE Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund (LEAF) has been awarded nearly £2 million to fund projects to boost the local economy over the next five years, thanks to funding from the Rural Development Programme for England.

The LEAF is now inviting organisations to submit ideas to receive significant funding for projects that will create jobs in the area and help businesses to thrive.

The LEAF is a local action group set up to invest in economic, environmental and community based projects across the Greater Dartmoor area.

This covers West Devon, as well as parts of South Hams and Teignbridge.

Cllr Philip Sanders, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'We are delighted with this offer and look forward to working with partners and local businesses to deliver a much needed boost to the local economy.

'The Greater Dartmoor LEAF was the best performing local action group in the country in the last round, generating over £5 million worth of investment in the local economy through 90 projects.

'This created over 60 jobs and helped over 550 businesses to grow. We expect it to perform equally well, if not better, over the next five years.'

Liz Abell, managing director of the DR Company, added: 'We are very excited at this new opportunity for local businesses, which includes farms, and our team is ready to help and advise anyone with a great idea to improve their business.

'The funding will open formally later this year, but we are happy to talk to applicants now.

'We are currently compiling a waiting list of project ideas to ensure that we can get the funding out where it is needed as quickly as possible.

'We are also looking for local people who want to get involved in deciding which projects should receive the funding.

'It is a great opportunity to learn more about the local area and contribute to making improvements that benefit the whole community.

'An information pack with full details is available on our website.'

For further information, please contact the DR Company by email at [email protected]">[email protected] or ring 01837 658643.

To apply through the DR Company visit http://www.drcompany.co.uk">www.drcompany.co.uk

If your ideas are eligible for the fund, you will then be invited to submit an application this summer. If you are interested in helping to decide how this money is spent, please contact the DR Company, who are in the process of recruiting board members for the Great Dartmoor LEAF.

This will also include local authority, business and community representatives.