CHAGFORD-based cottage specialist Helpful Holidays has scooped second place and a silver award against strong national competition at the British Travel Awards in the Best UK cottage/self catering booking company (UK properties) category.

The awards are acknowledged as the most definitive and largest monitor of public opinion on the performance of travel and tourism providers. Shortlisted companies are nominated by travel industry professionals, but it is the holidaymakers whose votes determine the winners.

The results were announced at a glittering ceremony at the Battersea Evolution in London.

Helpful Holidays' general manager Moray Bowater said: 'We're honoured to have been nominated for this prestigious award and immensely grateful to all those who took the trouble to vote for us.

'Helpful Holidays has always stood for reliable, un-hyped and outstanding service to its customers. This award recognises that in the best possible way – via the votes of those we serve and those who know us.

'We believe that success and profit are the by-products of delivering outstanding service. The credit for doing the difficult job of always trying to deliver service beyond our customers' expectations goes to every one of our team - advocates for our holidaymakers and confidants for our homeowners.'

The British Travel Awards are widely considered to be the 'Oscars' of the travel industry.