CHAGFORD'S Helpful Holidays has had the perfect start to 2014 by earning a gold 'trusted member'award by Feefo.

Last year the agency was highly commended by Feefo, the independent consumer reviewer which provides feedback for companies which aspire for excellence by listening to their customers. Helpful Holidays won their new award by scoring 99% in the travel category.

Nick Whitfield, Feefo's communication executive, praised Helpful Holidays' customer service, saying: 'Helpful Holidays has done exceptionally well with their Feefo rating, so a big well done to the whole team.'

Moray Bowater, general manager of Helpful Holidays, said: 'What a great start to 2014. Feefo is recognised as an impartial consumer review site and is highly respected.

'Our customers are extremely important to us. We care about their views and go all-out to ensure they have happy holidays. It's good to know we are getting it right.'

In 2013 the company had tremendous success, winning gold in the best medium cottage/self catering booking company category against strong national competition at the prestigious British Travel Awards.

For the second successive year, Helpful Holidays was voted the top recommended provider of holiday cottage and villa bookings in the Which? Travel magazine survey, achieving a high score of 91%. Stephen Bleach, travel editor of the Sunday Times, selected the company for his personal award in 2013.