A project to restore peatland has been awarded £2m.

A partnership of regional and local organisations has successfully applied for funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to restore 1,680 hectares of peatland on Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Partnerships have been formed on all three moors between landowners, commoners and other interested parties to develop the proposals.

The project is being led by Morag Angus, of South West Water, who said: ‘This is an incredible partnership delivering peatland restoration.

‘The peatlands of South West England are very important for water quality, carbon storage, biodiversity, cultural history, recreation and farming but they are the most vulnerable in the UK to the impacts of climate change, due to their southerly position.

‘For this reason, they need to be prioritised nationally and restored for the benefit of all and future generations.

‘The £2m from Defra presents a real opportunity to make a significant difference and to deliver sustainable management in these upland river catchments.’