The best of Trowbridge’s customer services was celebrated at an awards ceremony held at the Civic Centre last night.

The annual Service Excellence Awards, organised by Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged the town’s businesses and workers who provide high quality assistance to the public with nominations coming from customers.

David Baker, former Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce president, launched the awards five years ago and he got this year’s festivities started by introducing Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott, who praised all those shortlisted.

The event, hosted by Brian Hill, from Jones Hill, financial advisors, had four categories.

Timpson won retailer of the year, The Polebarn Hotel were crowned service provider of the year, Samantha Burgess, who works at Adcroft Surgery’s Boots store, was named retail employee of the year and Sue Hawkins, from Carewatch North West Wiltshire, won the service employee of the year award.

Mrs Hawkins, who provides homecare for the elderly and vulnerable, said: “I’m totally astonished and amazed to have won and this has been a very emotional experience for me.

"I do love my job so much and winning this is a lovely bonus.”

All the award’s winners received trophies with those who won the employee categories being given £500 cash prizes and those who were victorious in the business sections receiving a £1,000 advertising package with the Wiltshire Times.

Natasha Owen, owner of the Polebarn Hotel, said: “I have been nominated for a few years and it feels great to be a winner now.

"It is great to see that there are an awful lot of people out there who love Trowbridge and want to make it a better place.”

Colin Kay, Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce president, felt the Service Excellence Awards ceremony was a great event and praised the high level of competition this year which saw over 60 companies nominated.

Mr Kay said: “I think the competition was so fierce this year and the judging panel had to make a lot of tough decisions when picking their winners.

"I’d like to say a special thank you to Emma Roberts, the chamber’s vice president and head of the Service Excellence Awards committee, for all her hard work organising the event.”

The Service Excellence Awards’ judging panel consisted of Mr Kay, Mr Baker, James Rose, from Person May chartered accountants, Steve Davies, Office Evolution managing director, and Beverley Glover, White Horse Employment managing director.

The event’s sponsors were Office Evolution, Pearson May, Trowbridge Civic Centre and the Wiltshire Times.