ALMOST 150 guests enjoyed a spectacular celebration of agriculture at the inaugural South West Farmer Awards at Somerset County Cricket Club on Thursday.

Farmers from four counties descended on Taunton having been shortlisted for a variety of awards to mark progressive, forward-thinking ideas and achievements among the rural community.

South West Farmer publisher Simon Dixon-Phillip opened proceedings, saying: "South West Farmer which has been serving the region for more than 30 years...and you, well you are truly outstanding in your fields.

"Thanks first to nominees for taking time to fill in the forms and judges for poring over them, our generous sponsors and to the catering team at SCCC who are looking after us tonight.

"You’re all winners and we’re thrilled to be able to amplify your brilliance across the land."

Peter Beaumont, of key sponsor Cornish Mutual, then said a few words before he handed over to compere for the evening Julian Ellis, himself a dairy farmer from St Buryan, in the far west of Cornwall.

There were nine awards up for grabs in total, with three presented before a beautiful three-course meal and the remaining six taking place after coffee.

Family-run Penpont Farm, based at Chapel Amble near Wadebridge, won the Green Farm of the Year award.

Ollie Hawkey said: "We have 250kw solar panels that run the holiday site, which contains 30 cottages. We also have 100kw solar panels to run the farm and a biomass boiler heats the swimming pool."

The panels have been used since 2010 and the boiler was introduced four years ago, but the family have run the holiday cottages for 40 years after Ollie's father Andrew converted old farm buildings.

In 2010, the farm was accepted on to Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship scheme. The scheme aims to deliver significant environmental benefits to priority areas and it was chosen for its extensive archaeological sites on the farm and participation in the Amble Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Another winner was the Cornish Duck Co Ltd, based at Terras Farm in mid-Cornwall, who won the Outstanding Achievement award.

Roger Olver, who "hatches and dispatches" around 10,000 ducks a year with his wife Tanya, said: "I'm ecstatic to have won the award. I feel very touched that we have been recognised despite only being quite a small enterprise."

The fifth generation farmers, based at Terras Farm, began rearing ducks ten years ago after a conversation with friend and restaurateur Nigel Tabb, who said it was difficult to find good quality duck to buy.

"The strain that we breed tastes different to anyone else's - the key is to keep them in free range, small batches," said Tanya.

Among their customers are TV chef Michael Caines, exclusive Roseland hotel the Driftwood, Oliver's restaurant in Falmouth and the King's Head pub at Ruan Lanihorne.

The evening, led brilliantly by Mr Ellis, was a huge success and drew to a close at 10.30pm.