A long-established residential and holiday park near Penryn has been crowned as an environmental champion by conservation king David Bellamy.

The world-famous botanist said that Cosawes Park in Perranarworthal, owned for over half a century by the Fraser family, is a national role model for sustainable businesses.

Professor Bellamy made his comments this month when he announced that the park had won his prestigious annual David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

Cosawes’ accolade followed an independent audit of the park's environmental policies, and the successful efforts it is making to protect and enhance the natural world.

Set in over 100 acres of rolling countryside, Cosawes provides around 125 park homes, and also offers pitches for holidaymakers with tents, touring caravans and motor homes.

The large areas of woodland on the park are carefully managed to provide a natural haven for wildlife, including deer, badgers, mink and many other species.

David Bellamy said that Cosawes is also a magnet for birdlife, encouraged by the park's siting of nesting boxes around the grounds, including those specially designed for owls and bats.

There was praise too for Cosawes' active involvement with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and other environmental and conservation bodies in the county.

Colin Poole, a park manager at Cosawes, said the David Bellamy award was a “fantastic achievement” for which everyone at the park deserved credit.

“Sustainability and protecting the natural world in this wonderful part of Cornwall has always been the driving force of the Fraser family,” he commented.

The park was originally founded just over fifty years ago by Alan and Irene Fraser, and members of the same family continue to own and manage it today.

"But our work is very much a partnership in which residents and holiday guests also have an important role to play, and this award also celebrates their efforts," added Colin.

Family member Lynn Stonehouse said: “As we have only just started running the business, all the credit goes to the previous management and the staff for their dedication in making Cosawes a beautiful environment where people can enjoy a host of fascinating Cornish wildlife. The natural valley setting means that the bird life, especially, can be seen and heard in abundance. Having been born in the valley, it has been so lovely to come back to a place with such a healthy community of plants and animals. The human residents seem to be thriving on it also!