A NORTH Yorkshire landowner has won a major European award for his contribution towards improving the rural environment.

Charles Forbes Adam, owner of the Escrick Park Estate near York, has received the Anders Wall Award from the Brussels-based European Landowners Organisation.

Beating off competition from throughout Europe, Mr Forbes Adam was given the accolade in recognition of his host of environmental initiatives on the 8,000-acre estate over the last 20 years.

Dorothy Fairburn, Yorkshire regional director of the Country Land and Business Association ELOs sister-group in England and Wales said: "This is a hotly-contested award throughout the whole of Europe and it is a fantastic achievement that Charles and his team have brought it home to Yorkshire." Since 1990, more than 18km of new hedges have been created at Escrick Park along with 12 ponds and nearly 90 hectares of wildlife habitat on arable land. A special programme of scrub clearance using rare breed Hebridean sheep, Longhorn cattle and Exmoor ponies to graze has helped to restore open heathland and ensure the future survival of the diverse wildlife. The 274-hectare Skipwith Common at Escrick Park achieved National Nature Reserve status last year in recognition of its internationally important wet and dry heathland.

The estate has also carried out a sensitive 1.4m renovation of redundant farm buildings, resulting in 24 new eco-friendly offices and 14 light industry units. Hollicars the estate's 180-pitch, five-star holiday park also reflects Escrick's commitment to the environment having won the David Bellamy Gold Award for conservation five years in a row since opening in 2005.

Mr Forbes Adam said: "I am delighted that the estate is receiving such high-profile recognition and I would like to thank all of my team for their hard work and determination to get us to this point."

Mr Forbes Adam's winning entry was submitted by Tadcaster-based consultant, Tango Fawcett. He will be collecting his prize and winner's award of 10,000 euros at a ceremony in The Netherlands at the end of May.