THE Prince of Wales has agreed to extend his patronage to the Devon County Show.

The Devon County Agricultural Association said it was delighted the prince, who has been a patron for the past eleven years, has extended his term for a further five years to 2018.

His wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, was elected president of the DCAA in 2008 and spent a day at the show.

Richard Maunder, chief executive of the DCAA, said: 'We are delighted to receive his support and hope that together we can highlight the importance of agriculture and the countryside to people in Devon and further afield.'

More than half of The Duchy of Cornwall is in Devon — 29,000 hectares are on Dartmoor.

Together The Prince and the DCAA hold an annual award geared towards local sustainability with a first prize of £1,000. Currently applications are being sought from transition towns, local food co-operatives, renewable energy projects, communal composters and new allotments among others.

For more information visit the website: http://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk">www.devoncountyshow.co.uk