AN AWARD-winning family business which has been held up as a beacon of effective diversification plans is refusing to rest on its laurels.

Top Barn Farm, run by David and Di Harper and their family, is a 650-acre farm that has diversified into Christmas Tree growing, angling and even caravan rallies in the past decade to combat falling agricultural incomes.

The farm, at Holt Heath, near Worcester, is also home to a small business park, with 40 companies housed in offices and light industrial units in converted farm buildings.

Top Barn Farm has beennamed overall winner at the Platinum Awards for Business Excellence, organised by Malvern Hills District Council.

Described as an "inspiration to businesses who have needed to diversify", the company was also named Best Service Business.

But far from making the Harpers sit back and relax, the award has galvanised the family into developing new plans for the farm.

One new venture proving successful is its corporate team-building activities, and a large conference and training centre could be on the cards if planning permission is granted.

Housed in a former lambing shed, the 2,000sq feet conference centre would meet a need for corporate facilities in Worcester.

"We think there's a definite need for it," said Nicky Harper, who is married to the Harpers' eldest son, Richard, aged 32, who heads the Team Building and Leisure divisions of the business.

"There's not much about in Worcester, and we've got so much space. When we did some trials last year, most people said how great it was to be outside.

"We offer a real, outdoors experience that will, hopefully, appeal to the corporate market."

Outdoor team-building activities, involving archery, go-karting and raft building, are already available, but the new, indoor conference centre would provide an all-weather venue all year round.

Another area of the business being developed is the retail side, run by Mike Harper, aged 26, with a new garden centre now adjoining the farm shop selling local produce.

The farming business is run by the Harpers' middle son, John, aged 29.

Crops include pick-your-own strawberries and raspberries, beans and sunflowers.

The farm is also home to 400 breeding ewes and 30 pedigree South Devon cattle, and a chilled pack-house is also being developed on the property.