THE deadline for entries in the Devon Hedge Competition has been extended due to the wet winter. The Devon Hedge Group, which organised the competition, promotes management that optimises the value of hedges for farming, wildlife, landscape, archaeological and cultural purposes, whilst acknowledging practical farming constraints. The closing date for entries in the Devon Hedge Competition has been extended to the end of April. There are two classes this year — best laid hedge, open class, and best laid hedge, novice class. Prizes of first place is £250, second £125, and third £75. The aim of the competition is to raise awareness of the good management that many farmers and landowners carry out on their hedges and to encourage new people to learn this traditional countryside skill. Tom Hynes, from the Devon Hedge Group, said: 'We are particularly keen to have entries from people who have learned how to hedge lay over the last two years. 'There are many people attending training courses and hopefully these people are putting their newly learned skills into practice on their own hedges.' An entry form for the competition is available on the Devon County Council website http://www.devon.gov.uk/hedges">www.devon.gov.uk/hedges Entries are welcome from farmers, landowners and contractors, but the hedge must be in Devon.