A LEADING Rossendale property group has won a prestigious award.

Hurstwood came top in the luxury property category of a regional competition for Forest House, Leabank Country Estate, Rawtenstall.

The winning property is one of four stone mansions.

Owners Darren and Julie Lloyd said they were thrilled their home was an award-winner as they had a major input into its layout and design.

Julie said: "The house is fantastic, we love it and it has worked out better than we thought. We are very comfortable and settled in very quickly; the Hurstwood team worked like Trojans.

We wanted to be in by Christmas and they delivered, including all the landscaping . The development is lgoing to look spectacular."