THE Cookworthy Forest Centre near Halwill Junction was opened by the leading environmentaslist and newly appointed rural member of the South West Regional Development Agency Jonathon Porritt on Monday.

He said the centre 'represents a new approach to rural regeneration in a remote, rural area'.

Chairman of the South West Forest, Rachael Thomas said: 'The opening marks a milestone in the work of the South West Forest and complements the initiative's significant other achevements already made in rural regeneration.'

The centre will act as a centre of excellence providing advisory and training services with particular strengths in multipurpose forestry, trees and woodlands.

It will be a gateway for visitors exploring the surrounding countryside — including new woodlands planted under the South West Forest. It is also a physical base for South West Forest, Forestry Commission and Forest Enterprise.

Over the past two years 160 farmers have received contracts from South West Forest to plant trees resulting in 2,800 acres of new woodland. Through the initiative farmers have gone into food production, recreational tourism and the sustainable timber industry.