Asda, The Co-operative Group and Waitrose have all been named as winners of Compassion In World Farming's first-ever Good Dairy Award, at the charity's annual Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards.

The award recognises retailers and food companies that source dairy products from higher-welfare cows.

Waitrose was named Most Compassionate Supermarket For Animal Welfare for the second year in a row, and Ocado was the only major grocer to win a Good Egg Award. Elsewhere, Sainsbury's won a Good Calf Commendation, while Marks & Spencer won a Good Dairy Commendation.

The Co-operative Group won the Most Improved Supermarket award.

"Our winners are responsible for improving the lives of millions of farm ­animals in the UK," said CIWF head of food ­business Katy Read.