A WEST Devon builder has been named as the best in Britain ? for the second time in four years.

Ken Farnham and his team from Farnham Bros Ltd, Yelverton, won the national prize at this year?s Master Builder of the Year Awards after beating off competition from hundreds of builders across the UK.

It was presented to him at a glittering ceremony in Birmingham?s NEC on Tuesday.

The company?s £1.2-million contract to restore a Georgian vicarage in West Cornwall was described as ?meticulous with amazing attention to detail?.

Ken, who has been restoring historic buildings since he took over the firm in 1967 and won the Master Builder title for the restoration of Maristow House near Roborough in 2000, said he was ?surprised and thrilled?.

?There were 900 applications for the title this year so it is absolutely wonderful for myself and the team of 21 employees who make up this firm,? he said.

?This has been a two-year project and a great thrill to work on ? to be restoring the work of the highest quality craftsmen is very satisfying.?

Untouched for almost 200 years, the Grade II listed vicarage was threatened with demolition and on the council ?at risk? list before Ken and his team began the painstaking work and careful conservation.

Martyn Hedley, who bought the property in 2001, said he had worked with many builders on old and new buildings, and Ken, who was also responsible for much of the interior design, was by far the best.

?I cannot fault anything ? he had a real feeling for the building and that shows in the final product,? he said.

?He went to painstaking trouble to restore this building to its former glory and the attention to detail is amazing ? I may be biased but the right person won this award.?

The building firm was responsible for the restoration of Buckland Abbey and the Monks Hall at Buckfast Abbey among many other historic building projects.

In addition to his award, Ken has won a light commercial vehicle from sponsors Nissan Motor and a weekend break for two.