HOME-BUYERS held the key to a prestigious accolade for Harwood Homes - the company which created Golborne's popular Summerfields and Inglewood Fields developments.

Customers voted for the developer in a unique award which lets home-buyers have their say.

The company, which is just two years old, was highly commended in its debut at the British Housebuilder of the Year awards in the category for companies who built between 101 and 250 new homes a year.

Home-buyers who purchased from Harwood between April 1 1995 and March 31 1996 were asked to judge the company's performance in 11 different categories.

Harwood's scores for helpfulness of sales staff, meeting building deadlines and the conditions of customers' homes on moving day impressed judges of the competition, which named the winners at a glittering ceremony at London's Hilton Hotel.

Managing director Ian Wilkins said: "The commendation is a tribute to everyone who has helped the company make such remarkable progress just two years after it was formed.

"It is also a significant seal of approval from our customers who have shown their appreciation of our standard and service - we would like to thank them all."

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