PROPERTY auctioneer Auction House has won the gold award for best franchise at the Estate Agent of The Year Awards, at a glittering award ceremony in London.

The awards - widely recognised as the benchmark for excellence throughout the estate agency industry – were held at the London Lancaster Hotel, presented by explorer and globetrotter Ben Fogle.

Adam Cook from Auction House Mansbridge and Balment said: 'This is a fantastic achievement for such a young brand and testimony of the importance of offering auctions alongside estate agency services. Our regional approach appeals to local buyers and sellers, with better prices being achieved as a result.

'We're delighted that the judges have recognised the growing importance of the auction route to market, and that we are the very best estate agency support franchise in the United Kingdom. The award is a credit to the entire team, who provide all the necessary marketing, backup and assistance to our 25 auction rooms around the country.'

The brand's auction room in West Yorkshire also won the silver award for Best Auctions Agency in the UK – the first time that an accolade for this category has been awarded.

Auction House UK was formed in July 2007 and is now the largest auctioneer outside London, accounting for 8% of all property auction sales nationally. The company, which is run on a license basis by Auction House UK Ltd, will hold 150 auctions in 2012 comprising up to 3,000 lots, with clients including local authorities, housing associations, plc landlords, government departments and financial institutions.

Adam added: 'This success comes on the back of our best November and early December sales figures ever, and a cumulative success rate of over 80% — well above the national average.

'But crucially, these awards are testament to the fact that the industry itself now recognises the importance and potential of auctions in the estate agency arena.'