A FAMILY of farmers have been recognised for their enduring support of a farming charity offering financial support to farming folk in hardship.

More than 230 guests at the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) annual conference in Oxfordshire saw Darlington’s David and Lorna Maughan collect the North-East region award.

The honour is given to the “person or people, who, in the opinion of the awards panel, deserve special recognition” for supporting RABI.

The pair collected the prize from National Farmers’ Union vice-president, Stuart Roberts, at the AGM for staff, volunteers and committee members from England and Wales.

Joshua Hosier, RABI deputy chairman, said: “David and Lorna have been involved with Durham’s voluntary committee from the start. They’re chicken and egg farmers in Darlington and are themselves really good eggs.

“Although extremely busy on their farm, they attend every fundraiser, sell lots of tickets and are great at securing raffle prizes from local companies.

“They also started what is now a very successful annual golf day, even though they knew nothing about golf.”