THOUSANDS of pounds are heading to Eden in a government-led bid to drive a rural food revolution.

Eden District Council is set to benefit from a £50,000 award thanks to the scheme to create Food Enterprise Zones (FEZs) which stretch all the way from Cumbria to Cornwall.

This network of food hubs is expected to create 10,000 jobs nationwide in the UK's growing food and farming industry and it is hoped to boost tourism, attract investment and add millions to the rural economy.

EDC's communities director, Ruth Atkinson said: "We are delighted to have been selected for an award of £50,000 to support the setting up of a food and farming zone in the district and in order to make sure we get this right we are talking to local businesses to understand where and how they wish to expand and what barriers there might be to expansion which the Local Development order will overcome.

"We already have a renowned food and farming sector in Eden and this award will enable us to build on that success story.”

Speaking at the first meeting of all 17 FEZs, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “Our food and farming industry is an economic powerhouse, now worth over £100 billion a year and employing 1 in 8 people.

“Food Enterprise Zones – Cumbria - will unleash food entrepreneurs, bringing together researchers, farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers so they can improve productivity and spark new ideas off each other all the way along the supply chain from farm to fork, from lab to lunch.”

It is hoped a new food hub will build on an already vibrant food sector, strengthening the Rural Growth Network and other food businesses already in the location such as Lakes Free Range Eggs and Eden Brewery.