A holiday park has struck gold once more for its conservation achievements.

The Woodside Country Park in Ledbury is celebrating its ninth David Bellamy Gold Award for conservation in a row, and owner Ken Davies, aged 83, said he didn't know of any other place in Herefordshire that can boast of such a record.

He said: “This means a lot to us, and it has encouraged us over the years to plant 600 trees and wild flowers, because we want everyone to take an interest in the environment.”

Environmental campaigner David Bellamy has described Woodside, off Falcon Lane, as a model for “green tourism” in the UK.

The site has several fishing and conservation pools, and it is not unusual for visitors to be treated to sightings of kingfishers and rare dragonflies and butterflies, while buzzards turn slow circles above the 28-acre site.

A converted barn provides an ideal roosting habitat for bats and swallows.

The David Bellamy Awards are given following detailed reports from the Nature Trust. The prestigious accolade is made to park tourism businesses which show exceptional achievements in protecting and enhancing the natural world.

Woodside’s owners, Ken and Janet Davies originally bought the site as a smallholding, some 46 years ago.

Today it provides luxury Scandinavian log cabins and facilities for holidaymakers with their own touring caravans, motor homes and tents.

Mr Davies’ interest in the environment has led to him becoming the president of Ledbury in Bloom.