Estate's green achievements are recognised by international award

The prestigious Anders Wall Award was given by the Brussels-based European Landowners' Organisation, which has ties to the UK's Country Land and Business Association.

The association's Yorkshire regional director Dorothy Fairburn said: "This award is designed to encourage and promote those who have made a significant contribution to creating a positive rural environment.

"It is a hotly contested award throughout the whole of Europe and it is a fantastic achievement that Charles and his team have brought it home to Yorkshire."

The historic 8,000-acre Escrick Park has won a string of awards for both environmental stewardship and rural diversity since Mr Forbes Adam took the helm in 1990. As well as an extensive hedge-planting programme, a dozen ponds have been created or restored.

Skipwith Common, a rare example of open lowland heath that forms part of the Estate, has recently been designated a National Nature Reserve, the first in Yorkshire and the Humber for 11 years. It is home to a wide variety of rare heathland plants, a rich collection of dragonflies and more than 70 species of breeding birds.