An Essex farm has been nominated for a prestigious national farming conservation award.

HP Coopers Farms, of Hill Farm, Gestingthorpe, near Sudbury, is one of four contenders to make it through to the finals of the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group’s (FWAG) Silver Lapwing Award event, now in its 37th year.

The farm, run by Ashley Cooper, and situated in the heart of the Belchamp Brook valley, was selected in recognition of its extensive efforts to protect and enhance the countryside.

The holding consists of 280ha of land, predominantly arable cropping including winter wheat, barley, beans and oilseed rape.

Ashley is keen on practical conservation on the farm, producing high quality crops alongside the protection and enhancement of habitats and species on the farm.

Schoolchildren are invited to the farm to see food being grown and the countryside being maintained.

Each of the nominees were chosen for demonstrating outstanding commitment to good environmental practices, alongside the production of food. The winner will be announced at an award ceremony on Thursday at the Raveningham Estate, Norwich, and presented by the Duke of Westminster. The other finalists are Dougal Hosford, of Blandford, Dorset, Glasnant Morgan, of Brecon, and John Miller, of Nottinghamshire.