CHAGFORD holiday company Helpful Holidays, has been nominated for a 2013 British Travel Award in the Best UK cottage and self catering booking company category.

This follows their success over the past two years, when the agency scooped second place and a silver award against strong national competition.

The British Travel Awards are the largest monitor of public opinion on the performance of travel and tourism providers. Travel companies and tourism organisations were invited to register for listing in the various catergories.

The award results will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday October 31 at the Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, London.

Moray Bowater, general manager of Helpful Holidays, said: 'This is a great credit to our team and home owners, as well as a testament to the level of service and quality of properties offered by Helpful Holidays overall.

'Our holiday makers and home owners' views are at the very heart of this awards programme and we're seeking their support by asking them to cast their votes. If our service has met or exceeded their expectations, they can register and vote online at http://www.britishtravelawards.com">www.britishtravelawards.com until September 30.'

For the first time this year, everyone voting can also enter a draw to win one of several great prizes on offer.

BTA's Chief Executive, Lorraine Barnes Burton, said: 'Helpful Holidays is to be congratulated on reaching the finals of the prestigious British Travel Awards.

'The largest consumer voted awards programme in the UK, the BTAs are designed to reward the best companies in travel, and the winning accolade is the benchmark for excellence when it comes to finding out who really is the best in the business of travel for the UK consumer.'

The nomination follows on Helpful Holidays' recent success in being awarded first place in the Which? Travel magazine members' survey of holiday cottage and villa booking companies for the second year in succession achieving a very high score of 91% and getting five out of five stars in all but one category.