The managing director of a North Tawton-based environmental group has received a top award for his work in the county.

Paul Baker, of the Devon Association for Renewable Energy, was presented with the Environmental Champion Award at the Meteorological Office in Exeter — the venue for the prestigious Devon Environmental Business Initiative (DEBI) award ceremony.

The ceremony heard that much of Mr Baker's work and support of the sector had led to a greater understanding and public awareness of renewable energy and the issues behind its requirement.

He had tirelessly supported the renewable energy sector in Devon, giving most of his time on a voluntary basis and was responsible for developing DARE into a fully functioning 'not for profit' organisation which is a leading partner and participant in many county and regional groups, boards, forums, projects and schemes.

Mr Baker said: 'It is hugely gratifying and humbling to find that other people believe that some of my personally motivated activities have merit.

'To me, this award touches home in being in tune with the fact that it is environmental issues that are my over-riding motivation.'

Mr Baker is also heavily involved in the North Tawton Environmental Trust and has been instrumental in the creation of a local green waste collection scheme.

Giving most of his time to DARE free of charge, he deals with every aspect of the organisation, be it answering a telephone query on solar panels, devoting an evening to a village hall committee meeting or advising a district council on its sustainability strategy — his responsibilities and activities far exceed his role to promote and encourage the use of renewable energy in Devon.

DARE gives free telephone advice and low-cost feasibility assessments for all renewable energy schemes and technologies.