A village business and a self-employed man have received environmental awards.

Ranger Organics and woodland manager Tim Sheldon, both based on the Hardwick Estate at Whitchurch, near Reading, were recognised in the national Organic Food Awards.

Theresa Whittle and James Norman, who run Ranger Organics, were praised for their organic beef, which is raised on meadows alongside the Thames and on Chilterns downland.

Mr Sheldon recently built a new drying shed and saw mill using Hardwick wood. These and other projects have helped local craftsmen, boat builders and sculptors.

Ms Whittle sells the meat at farmers' markets in Wallingford, Oxford, Henley, Marlow and Wokingham.

Mr Sheldon has worked woodlands at Hardwick for more than 25 years.

He was judged overall winner of the Chiltern Woodland Award presented by the Chilterns Conservation Board.

Sir Julian Rose, who owns the estate, said: "I am delighted with these awards.

He added: "They reflect the estate's long term policy of promoting ecologically sensitive management practices and locally raised organic food."