One of Cumbria's best-known food companies has taken a top environmental prize.

The Lakes Free Range Egg Company - which is based at Stainton, near Penrith - has taken the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) corporate achievement award.

It won the award in recognition of the benefits of a tree planting scheme it has introduced, which it says has improved welfare for over 19.5m hens and for their continued development and research into maturing schemes with national charity the Woodland Trust.

More than 150,000 trees have been planted over 600 acres of hen ranges, encouraging the birds to roam further as well as enticing wildlife to return to farms like pipistrelle bats, barn owls and red squirrels. One of the key features of the case study is The Lakes long term commitment to planting and research.

The Lakes is three years into a Woodland Trust five year extended ecological survey, which is designed to identify the best way forward for future range planting strategies.

In a joint statement, the husband and wife team in charge at The Lakes, David and Helen Brass, said: “Tree planting schemes on the free range hen ranges have presented some unique challenges, not least because of the strong foraging instinct and general curiosity of the hens.

"As well as better animal welfare there are other, very real and practical benefits for any free range egg producer. Trees planted around the hen sheds intercept ammonia emissions and particulates – helping to protect sensitive sites like nearby semi-natural woodland. They also help reduce nutrient runoff from the hen ranges and help to protect the water quality of streams and rivers.

“A farm without trees would be a poorer place. If I have to give any advice to producers it would be plant more trees, the benefits far outweigh taking part of your land and it makes you feel good to see them grow,” they added.

Paul Arkle, farm environmental adviser with Cumbria Farm Environment Partnership (CFEP), an advisory service based in Crosby Ravensworth, nominated The Lakes for the award.

He said: “David and Helen have been very committed to range enrichment from day one and that dedication has reaped dividends, but not just for enriching the landscape and improved animal welfare. With two decades of experience, there’s a vital legacy of schemes at different stages, this is helping us gain a greater understanding of how schemes mature over time and how the flora and fauna develop."