A CAMPING and caravan park in Tavistock has won a gold award in what Professor David Bellamy describes as the 'Green Olympics' for holidays park.
Higher Longford Caravan and Camping Park has been named one of Britain's most environmentally friendly holiday parks.
The park has won a David Bellamy Conservation Gold award for its work protecting and enhancing the natural world.
Prof Bellamy said: 'Many parks like this have created wildlife wonderlands and I think it's time they were given deserved recognition for their big commitment.'
He said Britain's parks were bursting with bio-diversity, and were very important centres of education.
'These awards play an important role in helping parks to keep the green flag flying,' added Prof Bellamy.
Over the past 16 years, owners Brian, Geraldine and Irene have planted hundreds of indigenous trees, creating a natural haven for wildlife including hedgehogs, badgers, owls and bats.
The award was made following a detailed audit of the park's environmental policies, supported by comments made from holidaymakers.
The conservation audit of parks covers many environmental issues including aspects such as the care of hedgerows and wild flowers, siting of bird boxes and development and protection of reed beds and wildlife ponds.
The awards also consider aspects of park management with long-term conservation impact, such as the use of unbleached paper for holiday brochures, installing long-life light bulbs and re-cycling waste.
Future plans for Higher Longford include additional tree planting and conservation of the natural beauty of Dartmoor National Park.