The supreme accolade awarded to housebuilders in the UK has been won by a Yorkshire based builder. Peter Ward Homes of Beverley have won the Gold Award in the British Housebuilder of the Year Awards.

Over the past fifteen years these awards have become the most sought after in the residential property market - the Oscars of the building industry. Winning one of these prestigious awards demonstrates commitment to, and achievement of, the highest standards.

Peter Ward, the company's Managing Director is overjoyed "I am so proud. It is an incredible achievement for a company such as ours. When I set up the business in 1978 I never dreamt we would receive such recognition. These awards are highly prized and for one to be awarded to a company in our region is sensational."

Other winners at the awards, ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in London's Hyde Park included Redrow and Wimpey Homes as well as Berkeley Homes whose managing director, Tony Pidgley, recently starred in the television documentary Back to the Floor. "We have been category winners and twice runners-up before," said Geoff Pykett, Peter Ward Homes' Construction Director. "Competition is very fierce and includes famous national builders as well as regional companies."

Peter Ward build homes throughout the region and are well respected for the design and quality of their houses. In fact, they have won a number of local awards, but this is the biggest award of all.

"This is a major milestone in the company's history" said Peter. "In 1992 when we won our first Housebuilder of the Year category award we built 46 houses. This year we will build over 120 homes across five sites. With the support of our staff, contractors, suppliers and most importantly our customers we are well set up for the next century."

A spokesman for the Awards sponsors backed up this success, "Any company that wins a Housebuilder of the Year Award can be justifiably proud. Competition is very fierce and as competitors are judged by the housebuilding public themselves the awards are unique. Gold Award winners achieve the ultimate accolade in the industry."

Asked what remains for the company to win Peter Ward's response was immediate "A millennium Gold Award is our target for next year and then to achieve three in a row the following year." It is obvious that to be simply the best is simply not good enough.