IT was first time lucky for a Bury estate agent who beat the competition to win two major awards.

Mr Stephen Burns' firm has been voted the best independent residential sales office of 1996 in the National Estate Agency of the Year Awards.

The fledgling firm also scooped the regional award for the North West and Northern Ireland region, even though it is only the first time it has entered the awards.

Mr Burns (30), travelled down to London's prestigious Lanesborough Hotel on Wednesday (May 7) for the ceremony.

He received his two silver salvers from TV journalist Sue Cook on behalf of the National Association of Estate Agents.

"It's wonderful and I'm absolutely delighted. To win a regional award was brilliant, but to win a national one too is just incredible," said an ecstatic Mr Burns.

His staggering success comes just 15 months after setting up his own company in Bolton Street.

Anyone who bought, sold or rented a residential property during 1996 could vote for their estate agent by filling in a questionnaire, rating them on a range of factors from professionalism and quality of service to office layout and property knowledge.

In total their were 52 regional finalists out of a total of 454 entrants in three categories.

More than 18,000 homebuyers and sellers throughout the UK took the opportunity to nominate their estate agent which is more than double the number of people who took part last year.

Mr Burns said: "I'm delighted our clients think so much of us and I'd also like to thank my staff. They are an excellent team who have worked very hard."

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