THE Devon Village Sports Project has been named as one of the finalists in the national lottery awards.

The County Sport Partnership Active Devon has today urged West Devon to vote for the project as it competes against six other projects for the title of best sport project and is the only local project in England in its category.

The awards aim to celebrate and recognise the difference that those projects have made to people, places and communities all across the UK. The project could be in with the chance of appearing on a BBC One show and winning £2,000 to help continue its work, but are relying on local support as the winner will be decided by public vote between now and the July .

Devon Active Villages has helped and supported over 10,000 people living in rural communities to take part in sport where they live by providing specialist support, equipment and training to more than 120 villages.

The programme has also helped to identify undiscovered talent; youngsters from Northlew and North Tawton who started Muay Thai through the project are now British and European title holders and Halwill Junction Archers Club, established only recently through Devon Active Villages now boasts a continuously growing medal collection.