TWO students from West Devon have received scholarships during the recent presentation at the Harper Adams University Development Trust.

While all of the scholarships provide financial support, some also provide students with employment during the sandwich year of their degree programmes.

Ross Edwards, 22, from Gulworthy, is a final year Velcourt Dairy scholar, due to graduate this summer with BSc (Hons) Agriculture.

A former Tavistock College student, Ross said: 'I am very grateful for Velcourt to be supporting me in my final year of my studies at Harper Adams.

'After completing my placement year on a Velcourt dairy and really enjoying it, I will be going back to join them on the trainee farm managers' scheme in spring 2015.

'I intend to go travelling to Australia and New Zealand after graduating, as Velcourt have given me the opportunity to do so while holding my job offer open.'

As part of his scholarship, Ross spent his placement year working on a 3,800 acre estate on the south coast of Dorset.

'Having come from a beef and sheep background, placement gave me a good insight into the dairy sector,' he said.

Kate Jones, 20, who moved to Winkleigh from Canada prior to commencing her studies, won the British Poultry Council Scholarship awarded by Cargill Meats Europe.

Kate is on the BSc (Hons) Agri-Business course at Harper Adams.

She said: 'I am absolutely thrilled to be awarded this scholarship, it will reduce the financial burden of university, whilst enabling me to get experience in an industry I'm really interested in.

'This scholarship will also assist with my living expenses whilst living in Hereford next year for my placement with Cargill.

'I will be working and assisting in trials at various Cargill sites ranging from the breeding farms, rearing farms, hatcheries, broilers as well as spending time in the office. 

'I am hoping to pursue a career in the poultry industry after completing my time at Harper Adams.'