TWO Herefordshire farms have been recognised in a national retailers' awards.

Haygrove in Ledbury and Lower Hope Farm in Ullingswick were rewarded for their excellence at this year’s M&S Farming for the Future awards.

The awards took place at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells.

Haygrove, a family-owned raspberry, strawberry and cherry farm, won the Prince’s Countryside Fund award for encouraging employees to have a positive impact on their community, as well as educating the next generation about food production through its own apprenticeship programme.

Lower Hope Farm, a fruit farm, won the Innovation award in recognition of its pioneering approach to production, which has resulted in a new high density planting system, and the team’s enthusiasm for creating new varieties of cherries for customers.

James Waltham, managing director at Haygrove, said: “The win is a result of a massive team effort. It’s great to be recognised for all the work we do that specifically focuses on the people and our planet – something that is very important to us at Haygrove.”

M&S Farming for the Future is a programme of initiatives which champions sustainability and innovation.