BIRDS, butterflies and bats have helped a Lydford holiday park to wing its way to a major environmental award — and brought honours for the husband-and-wife park managers.

Lydford Caravan and Camping Park has just scooped a top gold accolade in the annual David Bellamy Conservation Awards for its work in helping to protect the natural world.

Set in seven acres of unspoiled countryside near Lydford, the park was described by professor Bellamy as 'a wildlife wonderland' when he made his recent award.

Many of its green initiatives were put in place by managers Steve and Christine Denyer who have now received their own personal taste of success.

The couple have each been given an industry 'Oscar' — known as an Exceptional Service Award — to mark their outstanding contribution to the running of the business.

The award is handed down by the official representative body of Britain's 3,000-plus holiday parks, the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, of which Lydford is a member.

It came as a result of a commendation by park owner Roger Stokes whose family has run the park for 30 years.

Among the many environment-friendly projects on the park has been the planting of hundreds of indigenous trees and shrubs, which provide habitats and feeding resources for animals and birdlife.

Steve and Christine have also introduced many flowers with high pollen-bearing blooms, which draw a wide range of common and less familiar butterfly species.

In addition, bird, owl and bat boxes have been erected throughout the grounds — and visitors are often able to spot some of the park's many wildlife guests, including foxes, badgers and hedgehogs.

Other initiatives on the park include a recycling station which contributes to the village's recycling target, and the conservation of Lydford's 200-year-old Devon banks and hedgerows.

According to Roger, Steve and Christine were fully deserving of the park industry's top accolade — for both their conservation work, and commitment to helping park guests.

He said: 'Many people come here for the area's natural beauty, and Steve and Christine provide expert guidance on walks in the area, and how to enjoy rambles on places such as Dartmoor in safety.

'In the four years they have been here, the couple have always shown themselves willing to go the extra mile in doing their job and delivering first-class customer service.

'The results speak for themselves, and so do the many park guests who comment on both the friendly atmosphere of the park and the beauty of the surroundings.'

The park, he said, had enjoyed an excellent summer season for visitors, and that many had already booked return visits for next year.