A TEIGNBRIDGE project recognised for keeping a rural community's heart beating has won this year's Prince of Wales Award and is to be bathed in limelight at this year's Devon County Show.

The Bickington Village Trust was formed after the 300 people living there feared for the future of their community. Ten years ago the school, post office and pub had all closed leaving just the 150-year-old grade two listed church hall as a place to meet.

But that was in growing need of repair and so steps were taken to bring the building under the residents' collective wing. The hall was bought from the Church and a programme launched to develop it into a self-funding enterprise.

'The change in fortunes for the hall under its new management has been amazing,' said trust chairman Robin Colby. 'The hall is much more widely used and any surplus from its hire and the greater array of events is turned back into the hall to make it more attractive to the increasing number of users.'

The challenge is still on to fund all of the trust's aims however so the £1,000 award, donated by Prince Charles, will help.

'We are honoured to be the winners of the Prince of Wales Award thanks to the enterprise and hard work of the team and generosity and spirit of the community working together,' said Mr Colby.

'The stone wall which separates the hall from the road needs early restoration so we plan to use the prize money to help restore it to its former glory.'

One of the judges who felt the trust deserved the award, Lady Arran, said: 'We were very impressed by the commitment of this small well organised community group and could see the value in restoring this special piece of Bickington history to benefit those living in the rural area.

'Their innovative ideas to raise funds and include so many people are simple and popular and we all felt there was a good future ahead for the small village once some necessary work is completed.'

The award will be presented on the first day of the county show, May 16.