FOR the second year running a Bromsgrove landscape contractor has sealed the top spot at a business performance awards.

Whiting Landscape, of Wildmoor Lane, Catshill, beat off 300 rivals to win the Worcestershire Corporate Performance Awards.

The company, which employs 73 staff and scored 87 per cent in the awards' performance index, saw turnover grow from £6.2m, in 1999, to a massive £9m this year.

Company secretary Laurence Upcott put the firm's success down to its ability to offer clients a complete landscaping service.

He said: "We're thrilled to have won two years running.

"Most of the jobs we're working on now for clients are design and building contracts.

"This involves designing the site, securing planning permission and then construction work for a single budget figure.

He added: "Most of our work is for business parks and distribution centres. It's all commercial."

Runner-up was Worcester Ventilation Systems, which scored 78 per cent in the performance index. The industrial ventilation firm, based on the North Street Industrial Estate, off Ombersley Way, Droitwich Spa, employs four staff and turns over £780,000 a year.

Network director for the organisers Peter Garner said: "It proves you don't have to be big to succeed.

"From more than 300 companies, we've whittled it down to ten."

He said the awards had sparked a "corporate performance ethos" in Worcestershire.

"Companies want to know how they are performing and how they can improve."

Other local winners were Axiom Design and Print, in Sherwood Road, Aston Fields, Weaver, in Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Retreat DIY, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove and Barpro Group, in Sherwood Road.