DARTMOOR National Park Authority re-elected Peter Harper (pictured right) as chairman and Maurice Retallick as deputy chairman at its annual meeting on July 3.

Mr Harper has been managing the family farm in the Teign Valley for the last 21 years. Prior to that he served as an officer in the Army Air Corps for eight years. Mr Harper is a keen forester having gained a degree in forestry through the Open University. He is also an active member of South West Confederation of Timber Growers and a member of the National Farmers' Union and farmer member of the Hill Farm Project. As a keen walker he has managed a Ten Tors team for the last 19 years.

Mr Harper said: 'I am honoured to be re-elected as chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority, to continue to represent it at a local and national level.

'It is particularly important in this age of austerity to look towards ensuring the financial stability needed in order to continue to provide our services to the community and visiting public and I look forward to playing my part in this endeavour.

'Dartmoor is not just a stunning landscape. It has a strong and vibrant community. We must continue to build upon our strong partnerships and links with local communities to ensure a National Park fit for future generations.'

Deputy chairman Maurice Retallick is a farmer who has always lived in the local area. He is chairman of the Ilsington Parish Council and a trustee of the Ilsington United Charities. He is a keen member of the authority and plays an active role on numerous committees and councils.

The authority also elected James McInnes as chair of the National Park Authority's development management committee. At the meeting Bill Hitchins was also elected as chairman of audit and governance and standards sub-committee.