RECOGNITION and cash prizes were given out to three groups of ‘unsung heroes’ who have contributed to the upkeep of the Dartmoor National Park at the Dartmoor Awards last week.

The Dartmoor Awards recognise significant contributors to the national park purposes of protecting, maintaining and enhancing the scenic beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Dartmoor and promoting the understanding and enjoyment of the area’s special qualities.

The first prize, the Edward Moorshead Award, which is presented in memory of the former chairman of the Dartmoor National Park committee from 1985 to 1989 and is given for significant contributions to national park purposes, was presented by chair of the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) Bill Hitchins to South West Lakes Trust’s Burrator volunteers.

A representative for the volunteers said: ‘Thank you very much for this award. All the volunteers work very hard and what we do would not be possible without the support and general loveliness from the staff.’

The second prize of £150 was presented to Karla McKechnie, Dartmoor Livestock Protection officer.

Mr Hitchins said: ‘Karla is tireless in her efforts in informing the public about keeping dogs on leads, attending road accidents involving animals and attending reports of sick animals on the moor at all hours of the day. She is a vital and well-respected link between the public and the hill farmers and is on call 24 hours a day.’

On receiving the award, Karla said: ‘I feel overwhelmed. Thank you to all the people who nominated me. I couldn’t do it without the support of all the people who help me when I’m called out at all hours and help me to raise awareness of keeping dogs under control, keeping livestock safe and working with the hill farmers.’

The third prize of £100 was presented to the Buckfastleigh Healthy Project, which aims to encourage people to use Dartmoor to improve people’s health.

All three winners were also presented with a certificate and permanent photographic memento.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association Shield is given in special recognition of outstanding conservation work carried out by young people of less than 21 years old, along with a cash prize of £250.

The shield was presented by Phil Hutt, from the Dartmoor Preservation Association, to the Dartmoor Junior Rangers.

Mr Hutt said: ‘This is a great project working with young people going out and doing voluntary work with the Dartmoor Rangers and the staff. The young people are enthusiastic and dedicated and are an example to all of us. I hope the skills they have learned and the memories they have made will stay with them for years to come.’

Helen Jenny, on behalf of the Dartmoor Junior Rangers, said: ‘The young people have been absolutely fantastic. They are just superb. They have given huge amounts of constant effort and experienced enjoyment, work and fun and have gained a comprehensive idea of what is involved in looking after a national park. They have learned valuable skills and worked together in a team and long may it last.’