A WEST Devon holiday park has been awarded a prestigious gold conservation prize for the fifth year running by Professor David Bellamy.
Harford Bridge Holiday Park, at Peter Tavy, has been given a special certificate for achieving five consecutive years of environmental, neighbourhood, landscape and wildlife conservation excellence.
The holiday park is one of only 33 parks in Britain which has been awarded five years of gold status.
Prof Bellamy praised Harford Bridge for its ?vision and hard work?.
He said the scheme began seven years ago, with the aim of making holiday parks environmentally even better.
Owners Gerald and Irene Williamson were presented with the award by Prof Bellamy at a conference in Harrogate a fortnight ago.
Nigel Williamson, one of the partners at Harford Bridge, said gaining the award five years running was quite an achievement.
?We are immensely proud to have got the gold award again. We just have to keep improving our conservation and environmental strategy each year.
?We are reducing our waste and recycling more and more. It?s all part of keeping the gold award status.?
The holiday parks which get special conservation status are nominated by visitors who provide information and endorsements on parks they have holidayed at. Independent wildlife and conservation assessors also visited the park.
Prof Bellamy said award winners were ?rapidly becoming brand leaders? in the holiday park sector.
?I dream of the day when every park is going for five golds in a row,? said Prof Bellamy.
?It is through your efforts that your many visitors will learn the value of conserving Britain?s unique wildlife heritage and help to establish the importance of environmental excellence with the public,? he added.