AN innovative agricultural start-up has taken one of the top prizes available to new rural businesses.

The Horned Beef Company, which is based in Lindale, near Grange, is one of the winners of the Land Rover’s Prince’s Countryside Fund bursary contest, run by the motoring giant and Prince Charles' charity, The Prince's Countryside Fund.

This sees the firm - run by husband and wife team David and Bekka Corrie-Close - take the lease of a new Land Rover Discovery Sport for the next year to help them develop their countryside careers.

The business was launched last year with a 70-strong herd of pedigree cattle - including Shetlands and Longhorns - over an area of 500 acres, with the aim of providing quality beef and using greener farming methods. Unusually, it raised capital by promising investors that if they put in £1,000, they would receive their dividend each year in beef.

A total of five businesses took the prize and Mr and Mrs Corrie-Close were the only winners from Cumbria.

Scott Dicken, the marketing director for Jaguar Land Rover UK, said: "These young people are great advocates of the farming industry and their passion and dedication is a pleasure to see.

"Their entrepreneurial spirit is also showing the diverse options within farming and just how exciting and multi-dimensional a career in agriculture can be."

Claire Saunders, director of the charity, added: "Over the past few years we’ve seen what a difference access to a reliable and capable vehicle can make and we’re delighted to be able to once again work in partnership with Land Rover UK to support five ambitious young people who are making not only huge strides in their respective careers, but also a major difference in their rural communities."

Mr Corrie-Close was delighted with the win.

"I am very pleased to be driving around in a brand new Discovery Sport," he said.
"I am going to be cleaning it more than any other vehicle I have had in the past."