A farming couple have won an award for preserving the natural environment.

David and June Hobden were praised by English Nature for their stewardship of flower-rich meadows and pastures at St Dunstan's, near Heathfield.

Since 1945, about 97 per cent of such grassland has been lost to agriculture. But the Hobdens' land contains three species of orchid and rare plants including hay rattle and dyer's greenweed.

Tim Baines, South East general manager for English Heritage, said: "In their way, places like St Dunstan's are as much a part of our cultural heritage as the great medieval churches. They have taken many generations to develop and survive today only because those responsible for them have valued and looked after them.

"But just as a cathedral has no place as a mere museum, a farm cannot survive as a testament to times past.

"Like the rest of us, farmers have to make a living. What singles out David and June Hobden is they have managed to conserve wildlife while continuing to run their farm."

Less than one in 250 occupiers of Sites of Scientific Interest in Britain have received the English Heritage award.

The Hobdens' award coincides with the launch of an action plan to conserve and extend the remaining Sussex meadows.

The Sussex Grasslands Habitat Action Plan is part of a national, Government-supported initiative.