THE hunt is on to find gamekeepers and riverkeepers who have dedicated a lifetime to looking after North Yorkshire’s countryside or rivers.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is looking for nominees for this year’s Long Service Awards, which will be presented at the CLA’s Game Fair in July.

Last year, John Masterman, head keeper on the Helmsley Estate, received a CLA Long Service Award for his 40 years of dedicated service.

Mr Masterman started working on the estate when he left school in 1969 and was promoted to head keeper at the age of 22.

To qualify for the CLA Long Service Award, a gamekeeper must have achieved at least 40 years service to the countryside on not more than five estates. At 50 and 60 years a keeper will receive an additional bar to his medal. Riverkeepers and Ghillies must have dedicated at least 25 years to looking after the same river system to qualify for the award.

Potential candidates must be nominated by an employer. For details, email gamefair@cla.org.uk