Half of businesses in rural Devon find it difficult to recruit skilled staff, a survey has warned.

Regeneration group Devon Renaissance surveyed more than 2,000 businesses, including some in the South Hams, and discovered that 56 per cent found it hard to recruit staff with the required skills.

The survey revealed that the biggest skill shortages are in business planning, sales and marketing.

Nearly one in five firms said poor road access was the biggest constraint on their business.

The poll also revealed that 46 per cent of local companies were not interested in growing and half do not sell their products and services online.

Devon Renaissance is a not-for-profit partnership of the private sector, local authorities and community-based organisations.

The group, which is based in Okehampton, provides grant funding and works with projects to help create prosperity and jobs and improve access to services in rural areas.

Devon Renaissance is funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and North Devon, Torridge, West Devon and South Hams district and borough councils.