CUMBRIAN ranger Peter Barron has been recognised for his services to the Lake District and voluntary contributions to mountain rescues.

The 58-year-old from Keswick has been a Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) Ranger for 23 years and dedicated 20 years volunteering with mountain rescue as a deputy team leader, secretary and search dog handler.

“This award came as a big surprise, and you have to work with others to achieve it,” he said.

Work as a ranger involves maintaining the footpaths, gates, stiles and signs and dealing with erosion by implementing means to enhance the landscape through hedge and tree planting.

His ornithological and leadership expertise has also been utilised for the LDNPA’s Osprey Project at Bassenthwaite where ospreys are nesting for the first time in 100 years in England.

“I’m very fortunate to do something I love doing and I never have that Monday morning feeling,” he added.