A QUARRY firm in Ripon has won an award for its efforts to encourage bird life.

Work carried out at Hanson's has been recognised by the British Trust for Ornithology, which hands out annual awards to industrial and commercial sites that are sympathetic to the local bird life.

More than 100 firms took part in this year's competition, with local birdwatchers called in to help count the number of species which visit each site throughout the year.

In all, Hanson sites won five awards in the various categories, based on the size of each location.

"With so much bad news in the wider countryside, it is great that these conservation islands exist, both for the birds they attract and the birdwatchers who get so much pleasure from being able to see them," said competition organiser Graham Appleton.

One of the rarer species spotted at the Ripon quarry was the great snipe, although others include an osprey, goshawk, long-eared owl and barn owls, which have bred on the site for the first time.

"The restoration programme at Ripon has resulted in huge benefits for bio- diversity,'' said quarry unit manager Mike Whittaker.

"We are delighted to receive this award, which demonstrates Hanson's dedication to environmental issues.'