CELEBRITY conservationist David Bellamy has sent personal congratulations to Willington's Mercia Marina for achieving its fifth gold conservation award in five years.

The 74-acre marina received the David Bellamy gold award from the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, of which Professor Bellamy is president.

The awards recognise holiday parks for work they have done to protect or enhance the natural environment or wildlife.

Mercia Marina, which qualified for the scheme five years ago when it launched its holiday lodges, is one of only 20 venues in the UK to have won five consecutive gold awards, out of 560 which have sought accreditation.

Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, said: "We're delighted once again to have received the top award.

"We are particularly pleased with such high praise from Professor Bellamy.

"Since we opened the marina in 2008, we have always been totally committed to ensuring our development not only complements our beautiful natural surroundings but that we actually improve the conservation of the site and surrounding area.

"It's a job which is always ongoing, and it's fantastic that our hard work has been recognised in this way."

The assessors analyse everything from planting scheme and wildlife management to waste recycling, light pollution and promotion of local products.

Mercia Marina can accommodate more than 630 boats, making it the largest inland marina in Europe.

It took two weeks to fill the marina with the required 150 million litres of water.

It was recently granted permission for 180 residential boats.