A BUILDING firm which specialises in retirement properties has scooped victory at the 2004 British Housebuilder Awards.

Developer McCarthy & Stone is planning to build state-of-the-art flats in Worcester Road, Droitwich, after it snapped up Whittingham House and its land at auction two years ago. If planning approval is given, it is aiming to build around 48 apartments for pensioners.

The company was voted Best National Builder for the second year running and also won the gold award as "best large builder" and an astonishing total of 22 certificates - the maximum possible in each category - for service and quality.

The awards, which were presented by Changing Rooms star Anna Ryder Richardson at London's Savoy Hotel, are highly valued to the industry, with votes coming from home-buyers themselves rather than a panel of judges.

The 26-year-old company has notched up gold prizes in the Housebuilder Awards scheme for the last six years.

Chairman Keith Lovelock said although the company was extremely proud of its achievements, the winning formula was simple.

"We don't cut corners and we try our level best to ensure that everything is in place when a customer moves into their apartment," he said.

"The last thing people want in later life is hassle when they move home. Getting things right first time is a culture that runs through the company."