A CELEBRATION of Hampshire's countryside heroes took place at a glitzy awards ceremony.

The 2017 Countryside Awards were held at Littleton Millennium Memorial Hall near Winchester.

The awards, now in their 11th year, are organised by the county's branch of Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

They celebrate the communities, volunteers, young people and businesses that support the charity’s mission of ‘standing up for the countryside’.

The evening was presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq and saw a record number of entries.

Among the Winchester winners were Kings Worthy Primary School, who won The Young People Award for their Learning Through Our Grounds project.

The scheme makes the most of the school’s grounds for enhancing both the curriculum and the children’s awareness of the outdoor world.

Chris Hall, managing director at Steve’s Leaves said: “Having been a previous runner-up in the Countryside Awards, the judges were delighted to see Kings Worthy Primary School enter for a second time, bringing a number of new initiatives to their attention.”

The Rural Enterprise award, sponsored by Hildon, went to Holden Farm Camping in Cheriton, near Alresford.

Based at Holden Farm in the South Downs National Park, it was established to diversify the farming business of a fourth-generation farmer by offering camping where visitors can learn about nature, understand and enjoy the rural landscape and watch a farm at work.

Debbie Jones, Hildon's executive director, said: “Holden Farm Camping is at heart a very simple campsite offering families a low-cost way of coming to enjoy the countryside.”

The Sustainable Buildings award, sponsored by Hastoe, was won by Wessex Learning Centre at Winchester Cathedral, which enables a greater range of activities and brings a new perspective to the understanding of faith and life at the Cathedral.

Karen Hillhouse, regional head of development for the Hastoe Group said: “This deceptively simple building is beautifully detailed and blends effortlessly into the historical context. Its credentials are sustainable in both construction and in its use as a learning centre for schools, visitors and for local events. ”

Full list of winners and runners-up:

Community and Voluntary – sponsored by the Southern Co-op Winner – Community Roots (based at the Sandhurst Road Allotments, Southampton), Southampton Voluntary Services Highly Commended – Milton’s Hidden Seashore (Milton, Portsmouth), Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Highly Commended – Hordle Environment Group, Lymington, New Forest Young People – sponsored by Steve’s Leaves Winner – Learning Through Our Grounds, Kings Worthy Primary School, Kings Worthy, near Winchester Highly Commended – Patrick’s Patch, Fairweather’s Garden Centre, Beaulieu, New Forest Rural Enterprise – sponsored by Hildon Winner – Holden Farm Camping, Holden Farm, Cheriton, near Alresford Highly Commended – Two Hoots Campsite, Bighton, near Alresford Sustainable Buildings – sponsored by Hastoe Winner – Wessex Learning Centre, Winchester Cathedral – Hampshire County Council Architects Highly Commended – Forest Lodge, Brook, New Forest – PAD Studio