AFTER four decades of nurturing hill pastures in one of the most isolated spots in the country, it seems that the rest of the farming world has finally caught up with keen conservationists Maurice and Kath Toward.

The couple proved that their home, Herdship Farm, at Harwood, in Teesdale, County Durham, is no rural backwater by collecting an environmental award yesterday.

The award was presented at Malham Tarn, North Yorkshire, in memory of former English Nature chief executive David Arnold-Forster, who died last year.

It celebrated the Towards' achievements in combining a successful business with good conservation practice.

Herdship Farm, high above High Force, is a haven for birds such as black grouse, lapwing, yellow wagtail, redshank, snipe and golden plover.

Rare Teesdale gentian found in flower meadows are so special that they are protected as a Site of Special Scentific Interest by English Nature.

As well as Swaledales, the couple keep North Cheviot ewes as part of their breeding stock and are looking at using traditional breeds of cattle to help manage rushes and create ideal conditions to encourage lapwings to nest.

Before farm walks became fashionable, they encouraged visitors to share their 574 acres, which supports their flock of 525 sheep as well as a dozen Limousin X suckler cows.

Their approach is to keep only the stock they can feed themselves using traditional ways and as few chemicals as possible.

Mrs Toward said: "Maurice is absolutely delighted that after all these years his work has been recognised.

"He loves the farm and has always tried to help the birds to prosper. But until recent years that approach hasn't had a value.

"It is nice that what he has been doing all that time is now popular."

The Towards were nominated by the Tyne Tees Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.

The presentation coincided with the launch of a trust in memory of Mr Arnold-Forster, who was in his second year at English Nature when he died in September, at the age of 46.

Before that, he was chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority. In December 2000, he was appointed chairman of the Hills Task Force, looking for Government ways to help upland farmers develop sustainable business enterprises.