ORCHID expert Sara Rittershausen has been recognised for her work with a prestigious honour by the Royal Horticultural Society.

It was one of two awards presented to Burnham Nurseries, a specialist orchid nursery just outside Newton Abbot.

The Royal Horticultural Society gives awards to people who are recognised for their achievements in horticulture.

Sara Rittershausen was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Associate of Honour.

An Associate of Honour may be awarded to anyone of British nationality who has ‘rendered distinguished service’ to the practice of horticulture during the course of their working career.

The Associate of Honour is held for life and the number of associates may not exceed 100 at any one time.

Sara is the third generation of her family to run the business which was started by her grandfather in 1949.

She attends orchid shows, runs workshops, gives talks and writes articles on orchids as well as being a member of the RHS Orchid Expert Group.

She now runs the nursery with a ‘fantastic’ team around her.

Also honoured was nursery manager Arthur Bell who was awarded the Westonbirt Orchid Medal.

This medal is provided from a fund presented in 1960 by Mr H G Alexander in commemoration of the collection of orchids made at Westonbirt.

The medal is awarded by the RHS Orchid Expert Group to an individual for any scientific, literary, or any other outstanding personal achievement in connection with orchids.

This year Arthur’s 50th year of working for Burnham Nurseries.

He is well known as the face of the business at shows around the country and is well liked by customers all over the UK.

Back at base, he packs many of the mail order parcels and organises the potting, propagating and growing of the plants in the nursery.