LORD Curry of Kirkharle received his latest accolade for a long and distinguished agricultural career this week.

The crossbench peer was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture trophy at this year’s British Farming Awards.

Lord Curry has steadfastly worked his way up from a grass roots tenant farmer to a much respected, influential figure within agriculture thanks to a host of key achievements.

Awarded a CBE for his services to agriculture in 1997, he was knighted in 2001 and entered the House of Lords in 2011.

He said it was a huge honour to have been presented with this latest recognition of his achievements.

“I feel very humbled, and blessed, to have had the privilege of being involved in so many aspects of the farming and food sector over the past 30 years, or so.

“I have made so many wonderful friends over that time. I was born into farming, and grew up on a family farm in Northumberland, so to be chosen by one’s peers for this award is very special indeed. I shall treasure it for the rest of my life.”

More than 650 farmers and industry professionals attended the event, which showcased the innovation and achievements of grass roots farmers across the industry.

Organised by Briefing Media, parent company of Farmers Guardian , the awards welcomed a record number of entries from across all farming’s core sectors.

* The Cumbria Flood Farm Action Group was announced as this year’s Farming Hero award winners. To rapturous applause, Georgina Lamb, regional officer for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) said: “The Farming Hero award is an utter delight to receive but totally unexpected and we feel very proud at the resilience of our farming community.”