PROJECTS in Dursley and Ozleworth were among the winners at this year's Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Gloucestershire Awards.

Leaf and Ground in Dursley shared the honours with the Ozleworth Park Estate at the annual countryside charity’s event.

The awards celebrate projects across Gloucestershire that 'demonstrate sustainability and have resulted in significant improvements to the environment and facilities for communities'.

Representatives attended the CPRE awards event held at the Gambier Parry Hall in Highnam on November 10, where they were presented with a winner's certificate and a plaque.

As well as selling all the essentials that a gardener needs from seeds and plants to tools, Leaf and Ground includes a farm shop, with locally sourced and own grown produce, a cafe, a deli, a coffee hut, 20 acres of woodland and fields to explore, a play area for children, plus allotments.

The citation on Leaf and Ground's award reads: "In recognition of the imagination required to identify the potential of this location, and the dedication and skill needed in achieving both quality of execution and joy to its visitors".

Speaking at the event, Richard Lloyd, vice-chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England said: "Leaf and Ground in Dursley is a former garden centre, and this and the adjoining land has been transformed into an outstanding visitor destination and asset for the residents of Dursley.

"At its heart is a high-quality new garden centre and shop, a delicatessen and café, and visitors can also enjoy a lakeside walk and more extensive trails over 20 acres including woodland.

"Children can play in the fort and there are 32 allotments for the local community."

Ozleworth Park Estate was recognised for its work to improve the environment and manage the estate sustainably.

The citation on Ozleworth Park Estate's award reads: "For the achievements of the Ozleworth Park Estate in conserving and enhancing the landscape and biodiversity, and putting into practice the principles of environmental land management."

Richard Lloyd said:"Ozleworth Park Estate has embarked on an ambitious project to improve the environment and manage the estate sustainably.

"The work has embraced drystone walling, hedgerow restoration, new planting, new areas of woodland, new ponds, management and restoration of limestone grassland, and measures to support pollinators and farmland birds.

"The project has admirably demonstrated that farming and conservation can go hand in hand."