Two hotels in the South Hams have been named among the 50 greenest places to stay in the UK.

Dartmouth Golf and Country Club and Ivybridge's Glazebrook House Hotel have both been presented with a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

The top 50 list was compiled by a team of independent examiners who visited hundreds of hotels in Britain.

The Gold Award winners had to show that at least 60 out of 120 potential environmental measures were in place.

These ranged from best management practice and energy-saving light bulbs to innovations such as waterless urinals and having a green purchasing policy backing local farmers and caring for wildlife.

Dave Power, from Dartmouth Golf and Country Club, told the Western Morning News: "Guests nowadays are taking more interest in green issues and we must reflect that in the service we give them.

"All the lights in the corridor work with sensors so that minimal energy is wasted.

"We are looking to recycle all food waste from the hotel by buying a new machine which will transform it into fertiliser."

He added: "When we use paper for memos we make sure both sides are written on and try to use e-mails instead.

"We tell guests we won't change their sheets unless they specifically ask for it because it saves energy."