The region's renewable energy credentials have been recognised by Government after 10 community projects were each handed five-figure grants to strengthen their dedication to a low-carbon economy.

Six Cornish projects and four from Devon became the latest to earn a share of the Department of Energy and Climate Change's £10 million fund.

In the second phase of funding, announced this week, Devon and Cornwall were awarded a combined £377,923.37. Added to the £1,055,605 divvied out across the South West last month, it means Devon and Cornwall has now received nearly £1.5 million from DECC's Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF).

The ambitious Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) is among those receiving the handout, designed to help communities prepare for and benefit from the Government's Green Deal, feed-in tariff solar subsidies and Renewable Heat Incentive by developing their own energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

The North Cornwall group, which has rolled out a successful solar panel scheme for local residents to generate cash for community projects, has received £68,072, while the Fowey Renewable Energy Enterprise received £64,428. Newlyn School was handed £60,529.

In Devon, Exmoor National Park was given nearly £58,000, while the Devon Heartlands Community Development Trust in Okehampton (£31,545), Ashburton Futures (23,803) and Doddiscombsleigh Community School (£5,311) also benefited.

Elsewhere in Cornwall, sums of between £19,000 and £25,000 were handed out to low-carbon schemes in Falmouth, Ladock and the Isles of Scilly.

Ian Smith, of Cornish-based charity Community Energy Plus, said: "It's a real coup for Cornwall that so many communities are actively working on projects to promote energy efficiency and build renewable energy capacity.

"The LEAF funding will significantly speed-up the development of sustainable energy projects by helping the communities to build a clear picture of their local energy needs and challenges as well as planning how they can be met."

Ed Davey, the new Energy Secretary, said the grants were designed to "nurture the ideas and enthusiasm of communities up and down the country".