A LEDBURY family's holiday park is flying high after honey bees, butterflies and birds helped wing the venue's way to another top environmental accolade from David Bellamy.

The world-famous botanist recently presented Woodside Lodges Country Park with his prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, and in fact it is the thirteenth year in a row that the park has scooped the prestigious award.

But this year there was a bonus accolade.

Professor Bellamy said the park's owners, Ken and Janet Davies and their family, have shown themselves to be true friends of the countryside through their careful eco-management policies.

And he designated Woodside as an official "Honey Bee Friendly" park as part of his new initiative to help protect the threatened insects.

Professor Bellamy said the Davies family had created a "wildlife wonderland" on the 28-acre park which was originally bought as a smallholding by Ken and Janet Davies, half a century ago.

In particular, Professor Bellamy praised the park's wild flower meadow "with high nectar-bearing blooms on which honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators can forage".

Other initiatives include the construction of a series of ponds which are now a magnet for different aquatic wildlife including kingfishers, newts, dragonflies and wetland plants.

One of the lakes has been designated for "wild swimming" by guests, and holidaymakers are also invited to help themselves to the old-variety apples and damsons in the park's orchard.

Hundreds of native trees and hedges have been planted, and irrigation is provided by harvested rainfall in order to reduce reliance on mains water.

A converted barn on the park has also been provided with a special roof which will allow the resident bats to flourish and encourage nesting swallows.

Site founder, Ken Davies, aged 87, said Woodside has always followed a "conservation first" policy".

Mr Davies added: ""For many years we ran this land as a smallholding, so we are always conscious of what impact our business decisions have on the countryside and its inhabitants.

"That's why it's fantastically encouraging to know that someone like David Bellamy is giving us his full support to all our conservation efforts."

Professor Bellamy also applauded the park's engagement with the local community, including its work with the local Big Apple Festival, and the annual wassail held on the park.

The park's website is at www.woodsidelodges.co.uk