With the funded phase of the Ruby Country project having ended on March 31, a not-for-profit company, to be known as the Ruby Country Partnership Ltd, has just been established to continue the good work and to seek new sources of

funding.

In the meantime Devon County Council has

committed £500,000 to enable the last remaining work of the Ruby Way to be completed during the course of this summer to complete the route from Holsworthy to Hatherleigh. The first to be completed will be the route from Holsworthy to Anvil Corner and a section near Hatherleigh.

In addition Devon County Council has allocated £250,000 from the sale of Exeter Airport to pilot an equestrian tourism scheme in three of the county's most scenic areas: Ruby Country, the Blackdown Hills and an area around Tavistock and Bere Ferrers. The idea is to create recreational horse riding networks of full and half day circular routes to assist the growth and development of associated rural businesses including horse-friendly B&Bs, camping barns and riding schools. It is hoped a network of trails can be set up by 2012.