TWO farms from Ryedale have come top of their regional categories in a farming and conservation award.

Ian Hurst, of Rosemount Farm, Weaverthorpe, was winner in the East Yorkshire category of the Tye Trophy Awards, which acknowledges successful commercial farming combined with sound conservation practice.

The North Yorkshire region winner was Stuart Stark, of Fridlington Farms, near Sutton-on-the-Forest.

The overall winner of the award, run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, was Alexander Izat, of Cocklaw Farm, near Berwick-upon-Tweed.

John Fenton, chairman of the judging panel, said: "What has been achieved on this farm in the last 30 years is absolutely stunning. It was a blank canvas when Mr Izat took it over in 1987 and he has transformed it.

"Tens of thousands of trees and hedgerow plants have been put in as well as stone walling and ponds, one of which is particularly spectacular.

"It was a pleasure to see. I have been judging for six years now and the standard of entries this year was exceptional. Mr Izat was a very worthy winner."

Mr Izat farms 430 acres, with a further 140 on contract, growing spring and winter barley, oil seed rape and vining peas. High Cocklaw Farm is the amalgamation of three farms and when the family arrived, there were no trees. Since then, they have redesigned the farms and planted 35,000 hedge plants and 30,000 trees, planting in corners and ensuring a haven for wildlife without impacting on the arable operation.

Solar panels on the outbuildings provide energy for the farm.

Mr Izat was also the Northumberland regional winner and, as well as the trophy, he took home a cheque for £400, a set of crystal glasses and a certificate which were presented at the Great Yorkshire Show by the 2015/16 president Sarah York.