A DEVON-BASED national animal charity has been highly commended by Plymouth University students.

The Barn Owl Trust, based in Ashburton, received the 'highly commended' community project award from the University of Plymouth Students' Union.

The award celebrates the positive benefits of student volunteering, both for students and the organisations they volunteer with.

A dedicated team have regularly visited the trust to undertake practical outdoor work in the Lennon Legacy Project field, 26-acres of land which supports a variety of wild flowers, insects, birds and mammals, as well as resident barn owls.

Matthew Twiggs, conservation officer at the trust, said: "The students help has proved invaluable. As a small conservation charity we rely on volunteers to enable us to manage the land."

To volunteer for the Barn Owl Trust, call 01364 653026 or log on to www.barnowltrust.org.uk