Two of stalwarts of Northumberland's Glendale community, Duncan Davidson and Anthony Murray, have been honoured with the Glendale Agricultural Society Lifetime Achievement Award.

President of GAS, Lord James Joicey, presented the awards to the highly respected men, who have given decades of service to the locality.

Born and brought up on his family’s farm Amerside Law, just outside Chatto, Mr Murray has had a long and varied career and in his many incarnations he has been a farmer, a ferry captain, a long serving councillor and a partner in the Glendale Garden Centre.

Mr Davidson has lived and farmed Lilburn Estates in Glendale for 50 years and is a major employer within the area. In 1972, he founded Persimmon Homes and today it has grown into one of the UKs largest house building firms.

Chairman of the Glendale Gateway Trust, Patrick Sheard, said: "As ever it was a hard task to pick the winners from the many deserving nominations received. Glendale is a place where people get involved and help each other out. We are very honoured to present the Glendale Lifetimes Achievement Ward to two such prominent figures within the community.

GAS chairman, Andrew Walton, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to make this presentation and to recognise two unsung heroes of Glendale. Always unassuming, Mr Davidson does so much very quietly behind the scenes and helps within our community in so many ways whether for charities, churches or children. As a local organisation which has benefited from his support, we really are totally indebted to him for the kindness and generosity he has shown us over the years.

“I have known Anthony all of my life and over the decades he has done so much for the people of Wooler, both through hi businesses and his tireless work as a county councillor. So, in making this presentation on behalf of the Society, I would like to thank them for their dedication, commitment and generosity in helping to make Glendale one of the best places in the UK to live and work."