A WORKING farm in Alcester, which also operates as holiday accommodation, has won a national award for being environmentally friendly.

Oak Barn Farm on the edge of the Ragley estate, is run by Wayne Smith and Susanne Crawford, and they’ve won the Green Apple Environment Award for their work in diversifying the farm into tourism.

The couple have been recognised as part of a national campaign to find Britain’s greenest companies, councils and communities, and they were competing against more than 500 other nominations to get to the top spot.

Mr Smith said: “We’re over the moon. Delighted. Both Sue and I have worked really hard to get the quality of the accommodation just right and we’re really pleased.

“We’ve always had sheep and pigs on the farm, but what we’ve decided to do is increase visitor awareness, so our guests get to see animals close up and learn a little bit about them while they stay here.”

The couple had to put together a lengthy application for the award detailing their ecological approach to the business, which includes encouraging the guests in their luxury accommodation to conserve water and energy on site, and recycle as much as possible.

Mr Smith added: “We’ve got a green policy, which we implement throughout the whole of the farm. For example, we just introduced some teepees to the business and we’ve made all the beds from recycled fencing, which is a lot more comfortable than it sounds.”

Mr Smith and Ms Crawford will be presented with their award in a ceremony at the House of Commons next month.