Richard Reed has spent most of his life fighting to protect the Sussex countryside.

Since the age of 18 he has given up his free time to stop roads and phone masts spoiling the landscape of the Sussex Downs.

This week he finally had his efforts recognised.

Mr Reed, 73, was given the Silver Award by the Sussex Heritage Trust, a one-off presentation to mark the trust's 25th anniversary.

The honour was part of the trust's annual awards, which recognise the efforts of architects, craftsmen, developers and individuals who have breathed life into old buildings and landscapes across the county.

Mr Reed, from Horsham, said he fell in love with the Downs at an early age.

He said: "I was always very keen on the countryside and my mother used to take me for walks on the Downs as a boy.

"It is an area of outstanding beauty where I still enjoy walking and taking photographs and I feel it should be kept that way."

Mr Reed joined the Society of Sussex Downsmen, which works to preserve the Downs, in 1946.

He later became chairman of the society and has fought various plans for the area, including an amusement park at Devil's Dyke and both the Brighton and Worthing bypasses.

Lately, his efforts have been concentrated on fighting phone masts.

His ultimate aim is to see the Downs turned into a national park.

The awards, which attracted 80 entrants, were presented by their patron, the Earl of Limerick.

More than 200 guests attended the event, held at Charleston Manor, Litlington, near Polegate.

Peter Pearce, director of the Landmark Trust, an independent building conservation charity, gave a speech addressing the work of the trust.

Roger Neaves, Mayor of Winchelsea, near Rye, collected a plaque for the Traditional Skills Award.

The village sign, designed by resident John Haddock, was praised by judges for its original materials and craftsmanship.

Mr Neaves said: "The designer, who wasn't able to attend, really deserved a mention as he designed it for the village. I was very pleased to accept the award."

The elaborate 15ft-tall sign in the village centre is decorated with gold lions and ships.

Stephen Finch, owner and developer of Marina Park in St Leonards, won praise from the judges for turning a "moribund" building into a thriving development of flats.

He accepted the Large Scale Residential Award.

Mr Finch said: "We are very pleased to pick up this award and thanks should go to our architect Stuart Rousey of RDP Architects. The last time we came here we were highly commended."

For Graham James, turning Luxford Farm, Crowborough, into a sumptuous garden has been a labour of love for 26 years. He received the award for landscape.

Mr James said: "I am absolutely delighted with it. Last year we won an award for the house, so I came here hoping to get a matching pair."

Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2002 winners:

Landscape - Luxford Farm Gardens, Eridge Road, Crowborough.

Commercial and Industrial Award - Maple Barn, Buckham Hill, Isfield.

Traditional Skills Award - village sign, German Street, Winchelsea.

Small Scale Residential - 6 Adelaide Crescent, Hove.

Large Scale Residential - Marina Park, Seaside Road, St Leonards.

Ecclesiastical - St Andrew by the Ford, Ford.

Silver Award - Richard Reed.