AN Andover estate agency has received a prestigious award for the second successive year.

Austin Hawk has been awarded the title of Best Estate Agent in Hampshire and Wiltshire at The ESTAS 2017.

TV property expert Phil Spencer announced the accolade at a ceremony held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, attended by 1,000 of the country's top property professionals.

Celebrating their 14th year, the awards determine the best estate and letting agents in the UK based on feedback from customers.

On receiving the award, Dean Austin, director of Austin Hawk, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as being the best estate agent in our region for the second successive year at the ESTAS.

"It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance.

"We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice.

"We have always been very proud of the personal service and this proves we are delivering what we promise.”

Phil Spencer, who has hosted the ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003, said: “This industry doesn’t get enough credit for the work it does in helping millions of customers around the UK and making their dreams come true and at The ESTAS we want to highlight that fact.”

Addressing the audience he added: “If you make it up on stage today you can leave in the knowledge that you’ve achieved the highest accolade our industry can offer.”

Simon Brown, founder of The ESTAS, said: “Like it not we live in a world where the consumer decision making process is influenced more and more by customer reviews so The ESTAS provides a kite mark of excellent service for any property professional involved in the home moving process.”

Mark Goddard, managing director of ZPG’s property division added: “We have had a long-term relationship with the ESTAS and we are delighted to have committed to the ESTAS again going forward.

"ZPG's objectives are precisely aligned with those of the ESTAS, which are to help agents across the UK market themselves efficiently and help them win business.

"Many congratulations to all of this year's winners and runners up who have been recognised for the excellent standard of customer service they delivered throughout the year."