The Western Morning News is celebrating after its campaign to aid West Country farmers passed yet another landmark – smashing £1m barrier.

The Green Wellie campaign has generated the biggest sum of money raised by any regional newspaper appeal.

The total was reached thanks to a £20,000 donation from Lord Rothermere, chairman of the newspaper’s owners, the Daily Mail and General Trust.

When the appeal was launched on March 22, editor Barrie Williams “privately” set a target of £100,000 based on response to other recent appeals.

But the reaction to the campaign continues to surpass his expectations.

“Living, as I do, in an agricultural community, I knew how powerfully high emotions were running in this foot and mouth crisis.

“So I reckoned £100,000 was achievable, but this is an achievement to go down in the proud history of our wonderful West Country.”

The actual appeal total stands at more than £500,000 with the Government pledging to match the total pound for pound.

Cash has come from a host of different areas of the community, including pubs, clubs and businesses as well as individuals.

Lord Rothermere is not the only high profile donor. TV personality Noel Edmonds, who lives near Okehampton, has given £12,500 and offered to shave off his trademark beard for a further £6,000.

But the biggest single donation has come from agricultural insurers Cornish Mutual Assurance which handed over £25,000.

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