A former bricklayer who realised his ambition to farm after moving to Pembrokeshire has been honoured for his significant contribution to the farming industry.

Terry Clarke, who developed a successful dairy farming business at Knapps Farm, Martletwy, following a career change, has been made an Associate of the Royal Agriculture Societies.

Mr Clarke's first opportunity to farm came when he worked on a sheep and arable farm in Worcestershire for 18 months.

He then moved to Pembrokeshire to renovate farm cottages for T. J. Jones and Co at Yerbeston. This led to full-time agricultural employment on the company's dairy and beef farm.

In 1978 he took over Knapps Farm, a 96-acre holding, with his wife, Mary, whose farming background has proved invaluable to the success of the business.

They ran the farm initially as a beef enterprise but in 1980 established a 32-cow dairy herd. By 2001 the acreage had increased to 265 acres and the herd had expanded to 100 cows with 100 followers.

The enterprise was later integrated with the Tir Gofal conservation scheme to protect important flora and fauna, including the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, which had been discovered on the farm.

Four years later, the farm is regarded as one of the most important sites for the butterfly in Europe. Year-round access is allowed for environmental specialists and the general public.

Mr Clarke is a former winner of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's highest honour, the Sir Bryner Jones award, in recognition of the provision of facilities for the efficient feeding of big bale silage.

He is a member of the Society's board of management and chairman of its livestock committee. He also serves on the executive committee of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and is chairman of the South Wales branch of Dairy Farmers of Britain.