A BUILDER working for a firm based in Whiddon Down has won a 'heavenly' regional award — for his work on a local church.

Sam Diffey, of Character Builders South West, has won the Heavenly Builder South West Award as part of the Master Builder of the Year Awards in recognition of the work he completed restoring the Holy Trinity Church in Gidleigh.

The award recognises builders who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure customer satisfaction throughout a building project.

Sam beat off competition to claim the region's Heavenly Builder prize thanks to his keen eye for detail, unfailing good humour and enthusiasm. He will now go through to the national finals at the Westminster Bridge Hotel in London on March 20.

He said:?'It's great to be nominated by our clients for this award.

'Working on such a historic building as the church was a real honour and we were pleased to be able to provide such client satisfaction that they considered us for the heavenly builder category.

'I look forward to the awards in March where it would be great to beat all those other "heavenly builders" to win the overall competition. If I do win I shall have to get a halo to wear above my hard-hat!'

Rosemary Webber, of Gidleigh Parochial Church Council, said: 'The superb, sensitive and careful craftsmanship of the Character Builders shines through in the work they have done at Holy Trinity Church.

'For that, and for their patience, politeness and attention to detail, and their loving respect for this sacred place, they are, in our eyes, indeed heavenly builders.

'Congratulations to them for their success in the regional awards, and we believe they richly deserve to win the national award too. They have our gratitude and blessing.'

Ron Willers, the Federation of Master Builders services director for the south west, said: 'The Heavenly Builder award gives clients the opportunity to thank their builder for going above and beyond the call of duty to complete the job and turn a potentially stressful experience into an enjoyable one.

'The standard of entries this year is amongst the highest we have seen and reflects the expertise, attention to detail and professionalism of the region's builders.

'Sam should feel justly proud of his achievement in winning the Heavenly Builder award, and we wish him every success in the national competition.'

The award is the latest success for Character Builders — the firm won the national prize for the small renovation project of the year at the Master Builder of the Year Awards for a renovation project on a Grade II listed building in Dunsford.