A Cumbrian conservationist and former High Sheriff says he is honoured to have been presented with an OBE.

James Carr, who served as chairman of the Cumbria Community Foundation and also founded the Eden Rivers Trust, visited Buckingham Palace with his wife Jocelyn Holland and daughters Leonora and Octavia.

He was presented with the honour by Prince Charles for services to conservation, education and the community.

Mr Carr, a farmer from Warwick-on-Eden, was also vice-chairman of Rural Regeneration in Cumbria in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001.

His award was announced on the New Year Honours list.

Mr Carr said: “I wasn’t expecting to receive it at all. I’ve always been interested in conservation ever since I moved to Cumbria.

“Prince Charles has been to Cumbria before and I spoke to him about what the Eden Rivers Trust is doing to protect native crayfish. He was very interested in that.”

Mr Carr, who is also a former chairman of the Cumberland Building Society, said that both he and his family thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the palace.

“It’s a beautiful place,” he said. “While we were there we were greeted by a footman, Helen Graham, who happened to be from Longtown, so we had a chat about fishing there.

“She said she’d just been promoted to a new role.”

Mrs Holland added: “Everyone at the palace was lovely and they were very helpful towards James.

“It was great to have a chat with Helen Graham as well.”

Mr Carr worked tirelessly for the community foundation up until 18 months ago and as trustee saw the county through the floods of 2005 and 2009.