AN AGENCY dedicated to boosting the county’s rural economy has a new man at the helm.

Peter Hensman, of Lake District Estates, has been elected chairman of Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency.

He succeeds Michael Bell, of Bells of Lazenby, who will continue as deputy chairman.

Mr Hensman is a well-known local businessman who is already a board member of the North West Development Agency.

Mr Hensman said: “There has never been a greater need for the specialist rural knowledge and business skills of the CREA team. We need to work together to ensure that the rural economy is encouraged to play its full part in Cumbria’s recovery from the current tough economic circumstances.”

The agency plans to continue its focus on giving business advice across all sectors, as well as offering specialist help to food and drink businesses and farmers.

CREA helped almost 90 new businesses to start up in the past year, as well as providing advice to more than 5,000 existing businesses.