THREE different families in North Devon have captured the top awards given this year for nurturing their land and wildlife while farming commercially.

They were the winners and runners up in the Bronze Otter Award given every year by Devon's Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), the leading provider of farm conservation advice in the UK.

On Thursday leaders of the group presented the main award to brothers Robin and Rex Milton of Partridge Arms Farm, West Anstey, and congratulated the runners-up Peter Chudley of Romansleigh, near South Molton, and Robert and Wendy Vere, of Moor Farm, Morchard Bishop.

The Miltons also win the Sustainable Farming Award given by North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

In accepting their prizes the Milton brothers credited the work done by their father, the late John Milton.

With his mother, Hazel, in the audience at West Anstey Village Hall, Robin, 50, said: "The one person who deserves this award isn't here.

"It was dad's influence that showed us the true value that's all around us.

"He was the one who brought us into this and he would have been very proud."

And afterwards Rex, 48, explained the family's approach to their life and the farm.

"I'm fully aware that we have an environment we have to look after," he said.

"Every time houses are built and development takes place it shows that what land is left we have to look after and manage properly.

"It concerns me that we lose habitats. There is no need just because we have to farm commercially that we can't maintain those habitats and wildlife."

FWAG's Devon team leader, Roland Stonex, told a gathering of members, colleagues and other farmers in the hall how difficult it had been to choose who should take away the trophy.

"But we've come up with very worthy winners in Robin and Rex, who run a commercial farm that embodies all the facets of the competition.

"They put environmental management at the heart of their business, not just a little bit on the side.

"They've looked at the good land in a businesslike way, and they've made the more awkward bits productive not in food terms but in wildlife and resources protection."

He praised Robin's involvement in national and regional committees, championing the uplands for the whole farming community.

And he described how they take in visitors and show round young inner-city children, explaining to them how the farm works.

The farms entered into the Bronze Otter competition are judged on five main criteria – business viability; the efficient use of agricultural inputs such as manures, herbicides and pesticides; practices to encourage wildlife; the conservation of natural resources like water and energy and, lastly, the way the general public is involved.

Mike Moser, chairman of the Biosphere Reserve, praised all the winners for their example in controlling flooding and nitrate pollution downstream in the Taw Torridge Estuary, helping to maintain blue flag beaches, North Devon's varied wildlife and landscape.

And he urged their fellow farmers to follow that example and compete for the trophy.

"If we're going to maintain our biosphere reserve we want to have the winner of this trophy coming from within the reserve every year," he said.

In her presentation of Mole Valley Farmers vouchers to winners and runners-up, MVF's marketing manager, Julie Edwards, praised their progressive approach and their inspiration to the industry.

Afterwards the Miltons took guests on a farm walk and the family served supper. FWAG administrator Angela White said: "We're extremely grateful to the Milton family for hosting the event. Robin and Rex were only too pleased to share their knowledge and expertise on the different challenges farming such terrain offers.

"They answered everyone's questions, and then Mrs Rex Milton, her daughter and friends served us a delicious hot supper as well."