A SALISBURY Plain soldier has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding contribution to the protection of wildlife and archaeology in this area.

The military parts of the plain, which stretches almost 30 miles from Tidworth and Ludgershall in the east to the Imber ranges in the west, are a haven for flora and fauna as well as the nation's most used training ground.

This is because the use of pesticides is limited and there has been little of the deep ploughing that has scarred the archaeology of other chalkland areas.

Warrant Officer Class One Graham Goodchild, who is 46, has been the senior training area marshal on Salisbury Plain for the past five years.

His job involves briefing, monitoring and controlling the activities of a wide range of individuals and organisations who use the area - military, statutory bodies and non-Government agencies, civilian organisations, 44 tenant farmers and graziers and the general public.

His skills has been to combine a knowledge of the needs of military training units with the need to preserve the fragile landscape and grassland.

His citation reads: "WO1 Goodchild has the knack of being able to analyse a problem and apply his first-class negotiating skills in order to arrive at a solution acceptable to all interested parties.

"His approach has helped enormously to enhance the Army Training Estate's reputation for providing worthwhile military training while demonstrating that the Army is a responsible and caring landowner at a time when environmental issues are growing in importance."

WO1 Goodchild, who lives near Tidworth, said he was very surprised but delighted to receive the award.

"I have really enjoyed the interface with conservationists and environmental authorities, and making sure that their point of view is not missed out of the military aspect," he added.

"I grew up as up a country lad in Suffolk so I've always been aware of those sort of issues."