A farmer on the Essex coast has won an accolade for his commitment and dedication to protect farmland from flooding.

Andrew St Joseph is the East regional winner in this year’s National Farmers' Union (NFU) Meurig Raymond Awards.

The awards are named after the former NFU president and are presented annually at the NFU Conference in Birmingham.

They recognise grassroots members who go ‘above and beyond’ in their contribution to the NFU and the local farming industry.

Retiring County Adviser Adam Scott, who nominated Mr St Joseph, said: “Few if any people have spent as long as Andrew on the remote and exposed sea walls around the East coast. His own farm is not huge but his energy and enthusiasm are.”

East Anglian Daily Times:

Andrew, who farms at Tollesbury on the Blackwater Estuary, has been a passionate champion of all things to do with sea walls in Essex and beyond.

He has worked to persuade government and responsible bodies - in particular the Environment Agency (EA) - to adopt a ‘stitch in time’ quick fix approach and make cost savings through prompt action.

He was among a group which established the Essex Coast Organisation and is now its chairman.

He has established a "tremendous" reputation as a source of practical insight and has pioneered a series of DIY ‘permission light’ solutions that make community involvement possible, said the NFU.

He has worked closely with the NFU regional team to build stronger relationships with the EA - leading to an EA-funded small works programme for farmer-led repairs.

A range of appropriate repair techniques have been developed and agreed to ensure they have no adverse impact on the environment, meet appropriate quality control standards and to help increase the life of the defences to help protect land at risk from flooding.

The national Meurig Raymond Award winner was mid-Wales poultry producer Sharon Hammond.