THE founder of an estates agency is celebrating after winning a prestigious award.

Leanne Parr, from Leigh, is one of five that were presented with The People Award at the ESTAS 2019 in a ceremony in London last month.

The 31-year-old recently founded Warrington-based Harper Williams Estate Agents and her company won the Best in County title for Cheshire at the awards as well.

Leanne said “We are absolutely thrilled to be have been recognised and come away as winners with two awards at this year’s ESTAS, within our first 12 months of launching.

"It means the world to us as we know it’s our amazing customers who have judged our performance. "We live and breathe our passion for people and property, and therefore take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know our clients have a choice.

"We are very proud of our personal service and commitment to go above and beyond daily, so this huge achievement proves we are delivering what we promise.

"We will continue to work tremendously hard as a business to constantly keep improving our service levels as an ongoing obligation to our valued customers, and to help change the often-negative perception of this wonderful industry.”

The 16th annual awards were announced by TV property expert Phil Spencer in an event attended by 1,000 professionals in the industry.

The accolades are handed out based on feedback from customers and more than 45,000 surveys have been completed this year.

Phil Spencer, who has hosted the ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003, said “The ESTAS encapsulates what your typical agent is trying to do, which is to provide honest, transparent service for their clients.

"These awards are special because shortlisted and winning firms are selected purely on the service they deliver.

"Real feedback from real customers experiencing real service, I don’t think there can be a greater honour in the industry than to receive an award based on that mantra.”