JOHN Tremlett of Ballington Manor Farm, Wylye, is this year's winner of the FWAG Farming and Wildlife Award, sponsored by Strutt and Parker.

Peter Morris, chairman of the Wiltshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), presented Mr Tremlett with the Owl Trophy, donated by the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, and a cheque for £200 at a presentation evening at the Black Swan Hotel in Devizes on Thursday.

Mr Morris said: "As one of the judging panel I know how hard it was to tease the differences out from the four very high quality entries which we judged for this year's award.

"Ballington Manor Farm was selected as the winner due to the comprehensive efforts of all the farm staff to work for more wildlife on the farm in a high commercial farming and shooting environment."

Henry Edmunds who farms at Cholderton estate near Tidworth received a cheque for £100 as runner up. Both farmers go on to the judging of the national Silver Lapwing Award.