A farming machinery supplier has left Honiton - its home for the last 75 years - for pastures new.

Halse South West, a sixth-generation family business, has celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art new headquarters at the Daisymount junction, near Ottery St Mary, after the historic move.

The new premises were officially opened by Devon author Michael Morpurgo OBE, who is a joint founder of the Farms for City Children charity with his wife Clare.

Mr Morpurgo was presented with a Combi Clamp machine by agricultural supplier Ritchie, which restrains sheep during treatment and can be used safely by young people visiting his Devon farm.

The Halse South West move represents a historic moment for the family enterprise, which employs more than 30 people.

The relocation to the new Daisymount premises is only the second time the company has moved in its 137-year history.

Halse South West, formerly known as Halse of Honiton, moved to Micklesburgh’s Foundry, just off Honiton High Street in 1942.

The business, which was founded by Philip Halse’s great-great-grandfather in the 1880s, originally operated from premises at Sidmouth Station.

Philip has recently been joined by his son Edward, with his younger son George also due to join the business next year.

He said: “After 75 years, we simply outgrew our Honiton site.

“We are very grateful for the support of our loyal and long-standing customers and we very much appreciate their business and the trust they have put in us over many generations.

“Our new premises not only demonstrate our long-term commitment to the farming community but this excellent location and the additional space we have here, enables us to offer an even better service to our customers.”

The move means that improved modern workshops and machinery storage can all be accommodated on site while enabling future business expansion.

Halse South West is one of the largest sellers of top brands of farm machinery..

The business’s previous 1.6-acre site in Honiton has been sold to the Homes and Communities Agency which is developing a mix of new homes particularly aimed at young people and first-time buyers.