Kevin Walker On Site Plant Services was awarded the prize when it exhibited at the Harrogate event for the sixth time last week, from Tuesday to Thursday.

One of the first to compliment owner Kevin Walker and his wife Wendy was the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who was touring the agricultural stands after the award was made.

Mr Walker, 45, said: "He stopped and congratulated us on winning the prize. He asked me about all the machinery and we just had a general chat."

The 14-year-old company, which sells plant machinery from Beech Tree Farm in the village, beat off stiff competition from more than 100 other traders, including many national organisations.

Mr Walker said: "I was delighted when we won because we were up against all the big boys."

He put the success down to the presentation of the trade stand, which featured an eye-catching digging machine suspended nine metres high on a lifting arm.