CHAGFORD holiday cottage specialist Helpful Holidays has scooped the Sunday Times 2013 travel editor's choice award at the newspaper's 2013 Travel Awards, which was presented at a glittering evening event overlooking Valetta's harbour in Malta.

In describing his choice, Stephen Bleach, travel editor of the Sunday Times, said that 'renting a property through Helpful is like having it chosen by a like-minded friend' and that they 'offer a simple service done superbly well'.

Moray Bowater, Helpful Holidays, who travelled to Malta to receive the award, said: 'We're thrilled to have been honoured with such a prestigious award and with such kind words. Small company care with big company efficiency is what we aim for.

'For over 30 years, the Helpful Holidays team's aim has been to ensure our holiday makers have happy holidays and it's great for all of us to have had our particular ethos and work recognised in such an encouraging way. Great credit too must go to our diligent band of owners and caretakers whose hard work creates holiday homes of great quality and who dependably deliver on the promises we make.'

The accolade is the latest success for the company, having earned a silver British Travel Award for two years in a row in the best UK cottage/self-catering booking company category. The agency is hoping to clinch gold in the category this year.