A Dartmoor farm that helps disadvantaged children received a royal seal of approval today when The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, and his wife, the Countess Sophie, paidn official visit

The royal couple were at East Shallowford Farm, just outside Widecombe-in-the-Moor, to mark the official opening of the Farm Development Project.

The pair were shown around the farm, which is run by the Shallowford Trust, a charity that organises visits for disadvantaged children from London to experience life and work on a farm.

They paid particular attention to the daily routine of each person they spoke to as well as their favourite job, activity and role was on the farm and why.

A spokesperson for Shallowford Farm said: ‘The visits to East Shallowford provide many opportunities for new learning and new experiences.

‘The young people who come here may live in concrete housing estates without a view, but on the farm they have weighed lambs, witnessed the birth of calves, rebuilt dry stone walls, learned to take responsibility for animals and become part of an ongoing working community.’

As well as learning about how a farm is run and where their food comes from, children can also take part in challenging activities including mountain biking and horse riding.

For  a full report and pictures see this week’s Mid-Devon Advertiser.