A family hotel has won a top environmental award for its dedication to energy conservation.

The Silverdale Hotel in Seaford is run by Ted and Gilly Cowdrey, who won the prize at the South-East England Development Agency (Seeda) Sustainable Business Awards.

Their small business came first in the section honouring "personal commitment to sustainable tourism and energy conservation" ahead of larger companies with far greater resources.

The hotel impressed judges with its range of eco-friendly initiatives, introduced since it opened in 1992.

The Cowdreys cut their energy bills by 76 per cent after converting to fluorescent lamps and reduced hot water costs by 20 per cent by installing a solar water heating system.

The couple recycle their newspapers, magazines, aluminium and tin cans, plastic and glass, while turning their organic waste into compost.

Mr Cowdrey said: "No one was more surprised than us when we were nominated for the award and we were absolutely gobsmacked when we won.

"When we opened, our aim to conserve energy was triggered not just by ecological ideals but a need to conserve money."