Clinton Devon Estates (CDE) has won a top national award for the way in which it manages its woodlands.

At the Royal Forestry Society Excellence Awards held at the Forestry Commission’s National Arboretum at Westonbirt, Clinton Devon Estates was awarded silver in the Duke of Cornwall Multipurpose Woodlands Award 2012.

Clinton Devon Estates woodland covers 1,900 hectares across East and North Devon, and comprises a rich mixture of both commercial conifers and native broadleaved species.

John Wilding, Head of Forestry and Environmental Economy for CDE said: “In so many ways we operate a traditional estate so it is very pleasing to have achieved this level of recognition for our multi-purpose woodlands which are thriving as a result of continued thinning and careful management.

“In the face of dealing with the ongoing challenges of new pests and diseases, we have been able to produce high quality timber as well as providing areas of important public recreation space.”