HUNTERS, the York-based group of estate agencies, has seen off fierce competition from top UK rivals to win two major awards.

It scooped both the Masters Cup and the PR & Marketing Award at the Home Sale Network's annual conference, which is now Europe's largest estate agency event.

The prestigious Masters Cup is one of the Network's highest accolades and is open only to previous winners of the Cendant Cup, presented annually to the Network's Estate Agency Of The Year.

The award recognises the member that has "excelled most in leading the field of UK estate agency".

Judging criteria cover everything from the company's market share to results of customer satisfaction surveys, and the volume of referral sales generated through the Network to the company's standing in the local community.

The PR & Marketing Award is presented to the company that made the most significant contribution to promoting the Home Sale Network during the last 12 months.

It comes after a hefty contribution by Hunters towards Yorkshire being named as the Home Sale Network's best performing region, in terms of referrals handled by the Network, in the UK.

TV celebrity Carol Vorderman presented the awards at a lavish gala dinner and ceremony attended by 340 people at London's Hilton Metropole.

Keith Hollinrake, director of Hunters, said: "Winning the Masters Cup is a huge achievement. Since joining the Home Sale Network ten years ago, Hunters has embraced everything the network stands for and introduced the Network's principles into every aspect of working life."

Richard Tucker, managing director of the Home Sale Network, described Hunters as "a forward thinking, all encompassing, property services company, which has quickly become a leading company in the North's relocation market.

"This is complemented by an extensive market share and strong relationships with the local community through a wide range of charity and sponsorship events."

Hunters, winner of the Progress Through People title in the 2002 Evening Press Business Awards, has more than 170 employees across the company's ten offices, which include city centre bases in Manchester, Leeds and York. Departments specialise in residential sales and lettings, land and new home sales, investor sales, commercial property, financial services, survey, overseas sales and conveyancing.

Updated: 10:14 Monday, November 08, 2004