SIX schools in South Devon will be given their own vegetable garden as part of an initiative supported by business.

White Rock Primary School in Paignton and St Margaret's Primary in Torquay are among the half-dozen winners drawn from entries to the campaign called Dig Down South West.

Each primary school will receive a large selection of baby vegetable plants courtesy of rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual.

Other winners are Chudleigh CE Primary School, Berry Pomeroy Parochial CE Primary School, Kingsbridge Community Primary School and Ashburton Primary School.

The campaign was launched last month by TV gardener Charlie Dimmock, and followed a survey which showed that almost two-thirds of school children across the region struggle to identify the origins of everyday food products such as beef burgers and milk.

More than 1,100 pupils across four counties in the South West were questioned for the research.

The campaign aims to get all primary schools in the region grow their own vegetable garden, to help children from five to eight years old take an active interest in growing their own produce.

Gardening expert Charlie Dimmock is supporting the campaign in the hope it will fill a 'knowledge gap' to younger generations.

She said: "Many children have parents who aren't gardeners themselves and we're hoping to fill that knowledge gap.

"I believe that gardening is a life skill; and if every child knows how to grow plants and look after them, that would make a fabulous difference.

"A school garden enables children to learn in different ways and gives a practical element to learning and it's fun."

Alan Goddard, managing director of Cornish Mutual, said: "So far the Dig Down South West campaign has been a tremendous success and we were inundated with entries from schools across the region interested in growing their own produce.

"We're delighted to be able to announce the successful schools and will work with them to follow their progress from delivery, right through to harvesting their vegetables.

"It's so important for our children to understand where their food comes from and this is a fantastic way of supporting their learning."

For more information visit www.digdownsouthwest.co.uk