ONE of the farms that acted as inspiration for Michael Morpurgo's best selling children's novel War Horse is to become home to a museum dedicated to the book.

Parsonage Farm near Iddesleigh is one of three farms that helped to inspire the author when writing the chapters of the book based in Devon.

Graham Ward owns the organic dairy farm, and last week he obtained planning permission for the War Horse Valley Museum.

As well as exhibits dedicated to the novel and its characters, the museum will also house agricultural machinery and equipment from both the early 20th century and the modern day, alongside World War I memorabilia and artefacts.

There are also plans to have a conservatory tearoom overlooking the Torridge valley and many places referenced in the novel.

Mr Morpurgo sent a letter of support for the museum to the planning authority, and the project was granted approval last week.

The museum is now scheduled to open to the public in mid-July in a converted 16th century barn and piggery shed.

Mr Ward said: 'We want the museum to be an educational centre, to really contrast farming in the book's wartime England to farming today, and the modern breeds of pig, sheep and other farm animals with older, more traditional breeds. We want to get people learning about world war one, the history of farming and the local area.

'The piggery shed is split into 12 sections, and each will be used to represent a month of the year, showing what is done on the farm during that particular month. We also hope to be able to show people around the farm and show them how modern farming works.'

Mr Ward is involved with the charity Farms for City Children, set up by Morpurgo in 1976 to give disadvantaged youngsters living in inner-city areas the chance to experience the workings of farm life and enjoy the countryside.

During their stay at Nethercott House, youngsters get to see how Mr Ward's dairy farm works and see his livestock firsthand.

As well as inviting members of the public and local school children to the museum, children staying at Nethercott House as part of FFCC's work will be able to visit the museum and get a greater understanding of how farm life has evolved into what it is today.

Interest in the 1982 book is high after it was adapted into a successful stage play in 2007, and a Hollywood blockbuster directed by Steven Spielberg in 2011.

The story describes the extraordinary journey of Joey, a beloved horse sold to the cavalry and shipped to France to take part in world war one.

The story follows his struggle through the war, and his owner Albert's dangerous mission to bring him home to Dartmoor.

Mr Ward is still on the lookout for World War I memorabilia and artefacts, and farming and agricultural equipment from the early 20th century to display in the museum.

He is also hoping to find someone who could make a large scale model of the Iddesleigh parish, displaying the different places referenced in the novel.

If you think you can help, call Graham Ward on 01837 810318.