Two of the most prominent names in Welsh agriculture, Meurig and Mansel Raymond, have been presented with their MBEs at Buckingham Palace.

The twin brothers, who farm in north Pembrokeshire, were awarded their MBEs in recognition of their services to agriculture in Wales.

They were accompanied to Buckingham Palace by their wives, Hilary and Ros, and their children.

NFU vice-president Meurig and Mansel, who is NFU Cymru's milk board chairman, were presented with their awards by Prince Charles.

They followed in the footsteps of their brother, Councillor Leslie Raymond, who was awarded an MBE 14 years ago.

The Raymond brothers farm 2,700 acres near Letterston.

They have two dairy herds plus young stock and a herd of beef cattle. During the winter period up to 2,000 store lambs are fattened. Arable cropping consists of winter and spring wheat, barley and oilseed rape, as well as potatoes.

Meurig, who lives at Trenewydd Fawr, Croesgoch, has been active in the NFU for more than 20 years.

Farming, he said, was very important to him. "It's a way of life I've always wanted to preserve and make better.

"You couldn't work this long in the industry if you didn't believe in it, and you'd be mad to do it just for the accolades, but it is nice to have your efforts acknowledged,'' he said.

Mansel, of Jordanston Hall, Letterston, saw the award as an acknowledgement of the efforts of his family, staff and everyone he had worked with over the years.

"I'm proud of the industry we've got and I plan to keep representing it as we work toward a prosperous and positive future," he said.