WHEN a major holiday company sought the perfect caravan park for staff training, it trained its sights on Worcestershire - and found a solution.

Wigley Orchard Holiday Park in Stoke Bliss, near Tenbury Wells, was decided as the ideal venue for staff from Hoseasons Holidays to learn more about away-from-it-all leisure breaks.

The Norfolk-based company books more than a million holidaymakers each year into parks and other holiday centres, including Wigley Orchard which is owned by Brian and Sandra Griffiths. Guided by the couple, the Hoseasons team were given an in-depth tour of the park, and the luxury holiday homes in which guests are accommodated during their stay.

The seven-acre park is based in the grounds of a former orchard which, for over 100 years, grew damsons and other fruit. Many of the trees, including pears, apples and plums, are still a feature of the park - and continue to provide annual crops of historic varieties.

Brian and Sandra also pointed out to the Hoseasons trainees the many other natural features of Wigley Orchard that make it popular with those seeking a hide-away rural holiday location.

In the 20 years since they bought the park, the couple have made special efforts to protect the natural environment and landscaped the grounds with additional indigenous trees and shrubs.

They have also maintained new wildlife habitats in the grounds, and the park now plays host to many different animal, bird and insect species including badgers, foxes, squirrels, owls and butterflies. "Hoseasons deals with all sorts of holiday parks, but I think they were keen for their staff to see an example of one on which the pleasures all come naturally," said Mr Griffiths.

"The only entertainment we offer is bird-song every morning and evening, and the daily spectacle of glorious views up the Teme Valley and beyond to the Stretton Hills." Brian, a former accountant, and Sandra, who helps administer an international relief charity, live next to the park.