THE late founder of an iconic herd of fell ponies that runs at Lindale has been awarded a post-houmous accolade for his work with the breed.

South Lakes farmers Bill and Tom Lloyd accepted the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Trophy on behalf of their father Walter Lloyd, who founded the Hades Hill Herd of pedigree Fell ponies in 1958.

The award was presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Fell Pony Society on Orton Village Hall.

The Trophy is awarded each year to the person who, in the opinion of the current chairman and approved by Fell Pony Society Council, has most promoted the fell pony breed by work, recreation or study.

Walter Lloyd founded the Hades Hill Herd in Rossendale in East Lancashire.

A graduate in Agriculture at Cambridge University, Walter had an interest in genetics and selective breeding, and for 60 years he worked to maintain the traditional type of hardy Fell Pony, which could live wild on poor-quality moorland grazing, raise a strong healthy foal, and go to work on many different farm jobs.

When Walter moved to Cumbria in 1987 he brought his herd with him, and they now run with their stallion on 100 acres of allotment land near Lindale.

Walter’s youngest son, Tom Lloyd, who has managed Walter’s Hades Hill Herd for the last 20 years, said: “The Fell Pony is an iconic part of the Lake District heritage, and has shaped this landscape as much as the Herdwick sheep.

“We wish Walter could have been able to accept this award in person, but it is a great comfort to know that his lifetime’s work and passion for the Fell pony has been recognised.”

Walter died in January aged 93.