A LANDLORD in West Devon has received a national award for her efforts to make her properties energy efficient.

Kay Bickley, of Okehampton, has been awarded the National Landlord Association's Green Property Woman award, which recognises her efforts to make her properties greener and make energy efficiency improvements.

She received the award at the NLA Property Women Awards gala dinner on October 31. It was presented to her by television and radio star Katie Derham.

Kay, who runs Upcott House B&B?and has other properties, said: 'It was pleasing to obtain recognition from our national association for the effort that we put in to making the properties that we rent energy-efficient, and thus more economic for our tenants.

'Given the increasing costs of energy for us all, it is vital that the private rented sector do their bit to assist tenants, particularly during recession, and not only provide decent homes but energy efficient homes.'

The NLA Property Women Awards recognise and celebrate the dedicated women of the private-rented sector who have weathered a difficult market to achieve outstanding results.

Kay has received awards to recognise her environmental work in the past, including the West Devon Mayor's Green Award, and a Dartmoor First award for sustainable tourism.