MILK LINK member, farmer Bill Blake, has won the Milk Link award for South West Dairy Farmer of the Year. Bill milks 380 cows at Appledore Farm, Bow.

Runner-up is Gavin Fowler of Braunton, North Devon.

The award, organised by the Royal Bath and West of England Society, is open to all farm businesses across Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, whose income is mainly derived from milk production.

Bill received £1,000 in prize money, plus an engraved glass bowl and a framed photograph.

Said Neil Kennedy, chief executive of Milk Link: "The dairy industry continues to face a number of challenges. However, this competition has highlighted those dairy farms and businesses in the South West which are best prepared to meet these challenges by demonstrating innovation and profitability. We are delighted for Bill and Gavin."