Isle of Mull farmers Somerset and Carolyne Charrington have been crowned king and queen of UK wildlife friendly-farming in this year's RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award.  Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland luckily missed the skirts of hurricaine Katia that swept across Scotland earlier in the week and was able to present their award in the sunshine. 

The good weather gave Stuart a chance to take in the full glory of this impressive upland livestock farm, which provides a haven for wildlife as well as a successful profitable business. They do holiday cottages too.... I can't wait to visit!

It was a close run thing, with just 13 votes separating the top two at one stage.  It just goes to show how hard it was to choose between the four incredible finalists that we had this year.  Congratulations also to Robert Law of Hertforshire, Robert Kynaston of Shropshire and David White of Wiltshire; they all thoroughly deserved their places in the final.  Like the Charringtons, all our regional and country winners, highly commended farmers and many others across the UK, they really are making a difference to the future of our wildlife every single day.  Our countryside is under enormous pressure, as our growing population needs more food, more homes, more places to work and roads to get there.  So these custodiands of the land have an increasingly tough job to protect wildlife too, and we thank them all for taking the challenge on.

Thanks also go to everyone who voted - a stupendous 22,000 of you showed your support for fabulous UK farmers by voting this year!  You are making a difference too.  Every vote cast helps all wildlife-friendly farmers know how much their efforts are appreciated. It also shows government how important wildlife is, and helps us work towards getting a fair deal for green farmers. So don't forget to vote in 2012 too!

Last but not least - if you are a farmer and have been inspired by this year's champions, don't forget you can enter the 2012 competion now.