A FAMILY-RUN holiday caravan park has won a prestigious new award from conservationist Professor David Bellamy, OBE.

A FAMILY-RUN holiday caravan park has won a prestigious new award from conservationist Professor David Bellamy, OBE.

Alastair and Andrianna Franks, who run Oakdown Touring and Holiday Caravan Park at Weston near Sidmouth, with Alastair's parents, directors Roger and Doreen; who started the park 37 years ago, are pictured receiving the David Bellamy Conservation Award of Special Distinction at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool.

Oakdown was one of just 15 holiday parks to receive the special award, presented for the first time for 2008.

Congratulating them on their dedication to the environmental cause Mr Bellamy said the Franks had gained the award for the inclusion of habitat creation on Oak Mead golf course.

He wrote: "The award recognises that your environmental work is truly innovative and something of which you can be rightly proud."

Oakdown has gained numerous awards, including gold David Bellamy awards.

Park manager Alastair told the Sidmouth Herald: "This is a level above gold and a one-off award. We didn't really know it was coming up and were quite excited when we won.