PRINCE Charles is said to be delighted that two woods on his Hereford estate have been given top forestry awards.

Aconbury Wood and Wallsbrook Wood near the village of Kingsthorne took gold in the Duke of Cornwall Award for Mulitpurpose Resilient Woodland at the Royal Forestry Society’s Excellence in Forestry Awards.

While Timberline Wood between Kingstone and Vowchurch won gold for Silviculture – the growing and cultivation of trees.

Both woods are owned and managed by the Duchy of Cornwall.

Geraint Richards, head forester for the Duchy of Cornwall, said: "Some 18 years ago, the Duchy of Cornwall purchased a significant landholding in Herefordshire; Aconbury and Wallbrooks Wood and Timberline Wood were part of that original purchase.

"Immediately after acquisition, we began implementing woodland management in keeping with His Royal Highness’ views, creating greater diversity in terms of species, age and structure but whilst still endeavouring to grow high quality timber.

"The two Gold awards in this year’s Royal Forestry Society’s Excellence in Forestry Awards vindicates this approach to woodland management."

He described the woods as the jewel in the crown of the Hereford estate.

Mr Richards added: "Timberline Wood contains magnificent stands of mature oak in particular and we have worked hard in recent years to ensure that there are young stands coming though, to benefit future generations; the Silviculture Award endorses this approach.

“His Royal Highness maintains a keen interest in the woodlands on the Hereford estate and, along with the Woods Team, is delighted to learn of the news of these two Gold awards.”

Madley Primary School, won joint silver in the Education and Learning category for its programme Beyond Forest School – The Wider Curriculum.

Judges praised the school for the way in which the Forest School ethos had been embedded into everyday life.

The school uses Brampton Wood on the Duchy of Cornwall Estate for outdoor learning.

Headteacher Lee Batstone said: “We want children to be inspired by woods and to enjoy them, understand them and hopefully for some to work in the industry.

"Even as rural school in a village setting 50 per cent of our children come from outside of the catchment and many from urban areas (approximately 30 per cent), while 50 per cent of our children do not own their own wellies (the school has a collection of wellies for children to use and the PTA have funded waterproofs for every child).”