A farmer has won a prestigious award for his innovative work.

Matthew Imrie, of Hillhead Farm, Torrance, was recognised at Scotland's Finest Woods Awards for his efforts in woodland creation.

He was awarded the Scottish Woodlands Trophy and Farm Forestry Award for Young People.

The judges praised him for his project on a "poor part of the farm," which improved farming activity, biodiversity, and the farm's future financial resilience.

Matthew was awarded the Scottish Woodlands Trophy and Farm Forestry Award for Young People (Image: Scotland's Finest Woods) They encouraged him to explore more woodland creation projects.

Matthew said: "This award is for the whole Imrie family – it is a family farm; dad is the boss but all of us have an input.

"We are trying to do things on the farm which will make sure it is always there and the forest is part of that strategy."

The awards ceremony, which took place at the Scottish Parliament, recognised excellence in all sectors, including farm and community woodlands.

Urban Roots, a Glasgow-based organisation, was highly commended in the Large Community Woodland Group competition (Image: Scotland's Finest Woods) Urban Roots, a Glasgow-based organisation, was highly commended in the Large Community Woodland Group competition for its work on Malls Mire Community Woodland.

The judges said: “Urban Roots and Malls Mire to be highly commended for the sustained multiple benefits the woodland and Urban Roots provide for a wide spectrum of the local community.

“It is an excellent example of a truly urban community woodland.”

Jean Nairn, executive director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: "After tireless work from our dedicated team of judges, we are proud to have such a fantastic group of winners.

Urban Roots was recognised for its work on Malls Mire Community Woodland (Image: Scotland's Finest Woods) "The production of high-quality timber in an environmentally-sustainable way, and the use of woodland by farmers to help them improve their yields as well as creating biodiversity, are just some of the great examples of how woods and forests can boost both the climate and the economy.

"When you add in the work of communities, schools and hard-working smallholders, you have a superb range of work to champion.

"Here’s to the future of Scotland’s wonderful woodlands and forests – they are certainly showing strong signs of growth."

Mairi Gougeon MSP, cabinet secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands, who presented many of the awards, said: “This year’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is a fantastic way to celebrate the very best in forestry in Scotland and to pay tribute to the many people and organisations that devote so much time and effort into creating and caring for woodlands.

“Congratulations everyone involved and especially the winners who have had their hard work recognised in this prestigious way.”