Peter Newman, left, receives the blotter from the society’s chairman Tim Crowther

A footpath campaigner was given an award for his service to the country’s oldest national conservation group.

Peter Newman is thought to be the longest-serving trustee in the 146-year history of the Open Spaces Society.

The Kington, Herefordshire, bookseller has been a trustee of the society for 25 years, and also runs the Kington Footpath Scheme, which works with convicted offenders on the Community Payback programme to put up signposts, build bridges and ditch crossings on local footpaths.

Fellow trustees presented him with a blotter to mark his long service.

Mr Newman said: “I was delighted to receive this award for my 25 years as a trustee of the Open Spaces Society, a job which I thoroughly enjoy.”