A three-year drive to change working practices at a farm in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has seen its owners win a prestigious award.

Offley Hoo Farm, just outside Luton, has been awarded this year's Chilterns Environment Award for its efforts to conserve wildlife and make the Chilterns a better place for the public to visit.

The farm, managed by Jon Birchall, has 1,850 acres of grassland and crops and sells meat from its rare native breeds of sheep, cattle and pigs.

Three years ago Mr Birchall decided to make big changes at the site, restoring many acres of rare chalk downland, improving hedges, restoring ponds and encouraging more birds.

He said: "After nearly three years of hard work in setting up our extensive livestock system it is now possible to see the rewards. We have a good crop of calves, lambs and piglets in the fields and our meat sales are increasing.

"It is really satisfying to operate a farming system which enhances the beautiful landscape of the Chilterns and produces products which customers enthuse about."

To find out more about Offley Hoo Farm visit www.rarebreed-beef-lamb-pork.co.uk