CHILDREN and staff from Exbourne Primary and North Tawton Primary were celebrating last Friday, after both schools were awarded apple trees from the Devon Renaissance company.

The regeneration company ran an art competition entitled 'What is Local Food?' to run alongside their recent Food and energy resilience in the South West' event at Bicton College.

The competition was open to all primary schools in the Okehampton area. Pupils were challenged to design an A4 sized poster using any medium that best illustrates 'What is local food?' Judging the competition was local artist Virginia Pope.

The trees presented to the schools are Duke of Devonshire apple trees. The apple is an old English variety that was raised in 1835 by the Duke of Devonshire's gardener at Holker Hall, in Cumbria.

As well as being presented with the trees, the winners won a goody bag of local treats and a certificate, which were presented to them by celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE at a special lunch during DR's event at Bicton College.