A conservation team based near Brecon say they are “delighted” after winning a national environmental award for their work protecting some of Wales’ most threatened wildlife.

The team at the Cynrig Hatchery, run by Natural Resources Wales, recently picked up the Environment Champion award at the St David Awards.

The hatchery, near Brecon, is managed by Dr John Taylor, Oliver Brown, Richard Davies and Haydn Probert, who rear and restore endangered species including water voles, white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussels and Arctic char.

Oliver Brown, aquaculture officer at Cynrig, said the team were proud that their work protecting biodiversity had been recognised.

“We are delighted that the work in environmental stewardship and protecting biodiversity we do here at Cynrig has been recognised,” he said.

“As pressures on our environment from climate change and pollution continue to grow, it is more important than ever we protect our most endangered species for future generations.”

The team has successfully reared more than 7,000 crayfish and reintroduced around 10,000 water voles as part of efforts to restore vulnerable species in Wales.

Their work also includes developing new breeding techniques, carrying out salmon tracking trials and supporting volunteers interested in conservation.