A CHAGFORD holiday company has scooped second place and a silver award for the second year running at the British Travel Awards.

Helpful Holidays, a holiday cottage specialist, claimed silver in the best UK cottage/self catering booking company category.

The results were announced at a ceremony on November 1 at Battersea Evolution in London.

The British Travel Awards are acknowledged as the most definitive and 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 categories, and a shortlist was then drawn up by a panel of respected individuals from both in and outside of the travel industry.

The final vote is determined by holiday makers.

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

'It's 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.

'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.

'Ultimately, trust is the currency that really counts and we're happy that earning that of our customers through our straightforward and frank approach, which has been the touchstone of our business since we started over 30 years ago.'

BTA's chief executive Lorraine Barnes Burton said: 'It's the largest consumer-voted awards programme in the UK, designed to reward the best companies in travel. 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 award follows on from the company's recent success in being awarded first place in the Which? Travel magazine members' survey of holiday cottage and villa booking companies, achieving the high score of 92% and getting five stars in all but one category.

More details about the British Travel Awards can be found online at http://www.britishtravelawards.com">www.britishtravelawards.com