Published 06/12/2007

HRH The Prince of Wales was celebrated for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of organic farming at Compassion in World Farming's fundraising dinner in London on 1 December.

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, The Prince was given the Compassion in World Farming Award for Promotion of Organic Farming.

Joanna Lumley was also recognised for her outstanding support for the organisation and the promotion of farm animal welfare.

Via a pre-recorded video link, The Prince of Wales accepted the award and Alexandra Bastedo collected it on his behalf at Compassion in World Farming's high profile fundraising dinner in the Ballroom at The Grosvenor House Hotel.

Joyce D'Silva, Ambassador for Compassion in World Farming, said: "We were delighted to celebrate our 40th anniversary by awarding Britain's most prestigious organic farmer. We believe The Prince of Wales should be applauded for his organic farming and are delighted to recognise his work through this award."

Patron of Compassion in World Farming Joanna Lumley was delighted to receive an award for her outstanding contribution to the organisation.

"As patron of Compassion in World Farming Joanna Lumley has been imprisoned in a human-sized battery cage in Covent Garden, driven a tractor up Whitehall and cuddled a muddy piglet in front of Ministers at Westminster all to campaign for better farm animal welfare," says Joyce.

The fundraising dinner was a huge success. Our special thanks to Eric Knowles (BBC's Antique Road Show) for his auctioneer skills and journalist and broadcaster Richard Johnson the compère for the evening and of course all our guests and generous donors.

Supermarkets were also rewarded on the night for their progress in improving farm animal welfare. Mark Ranson from Marks & Spencer collected the Compassionate Supermarket Award and Sue Henderson from Sainsbury's collected Best Volume Retailer and Most Improved Awards.