A NEW off-road path connecting Moretonhampstead to the Wray Valley Trail has opened.

Moretonhampstead Development Trust was awarded more than £10,000 by Teignbridge District Council (TDC) to build the new safe, off-road path connecting the moorland town with he popular walking route.

Previously, visitors and local residents could only access the scenic Wray Valley Trail via a busy road with no pavement, making it especially difficult for pushchairs, wheelchairs and families.

The new route goes through a community orchard, which is maintained by volunteers.

TDC were successful in applying to UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund, which it has been using to help small businesses and local organisations to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.

The new Moretonhampstead path was officially opened by Cllr Catherine Fileman-Wright in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, March 15.