A NURSERY school built on a farm has won the 'Best Rural Education Business' in a national award.

The Little Holtby's Mini Explorers Nursery, near Bedale, was awarded the title at the 2019 Rural Business Awards.

Steph Pybus, owner of the nursery, said: "We weren’t just up against other nursery schools, but rural training centres, agricultural assessment centres and a raft of outdoor learning facilities – we didn’t think our little farm school stood a chance.

“The win bears testament to the quality of the education we’re providing at Mini Explorers, as well as the innovative approach we’ve taken to early years education.

"We’re the first Farm School Nursery in the country, but we believe passionately in what we’re doing and in the importance of opening up the farming world to youngsters and babies.

"Our children learn to bottle feed lambs and calves, plant and pick their own fruit and vegetables and they spend their days racing around our family farm in North Yorkshire.”

Since winning the title, Ms Pybus said she had plans to open the nursery's own cafe, where children will share grown produce from the farm.