DARTMOOR National Park has taken possession of a new four wheel drive vehicle thanks to a sponsorship agreement with Ashburton Motor Works.

The new Isuzu Rodeo D-Max is on loan to the national park on a twelve month agreement and will help Dartmoor National Park staff carry out their work on all terrains and often in demanding conditions. As part of the agreement the vehicle will be serviced and taxed by Ashburton Motor Works.

Peter Harper, chairman of Dartmoor National Park, said: ‘Sponsorship agreements like this are vitally important for the future of the national park as new ways need to be found to help fill the funding gap and continue to deliver for Dartmoor. Dartmoor has also had success securing other sponsorship agreements with the private sector including with outdoor equipment supplier Sprayway, who have provided uniforms for rangers and staff as well as for the junior rangers, and the John Lewis Partnership, who supplied a discounted big screen for the National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown.’

Mervyn Wills, director of Ashburton Motor Works, Isuzu and Subaru dealers, said: ‘We are pleased to work with Dartmoor National Park, an arrangement that suits both of us; they have a D-Max to carry out their work and we have the benefit of the vehicle being used with our name on it for advertising around Dartmoor and surrounding towns.

‘It’s a good deal for both of us and an opportunity for the national park to work with a local business.’

Mel Stride MP said: ‘I have been very impressed by the work that Dartmoor National Park are doing and equally commend Ashburton Motor Works for their generosity in this donation. Having the right tools for the job is very important and I hope that this is the beginning of a long standing partnership between the two.’