A WORCESTERSHIRE hardware store has been recognised with a prestigious national award.

Broad Street DIY, based in Bromsgrove, took the highly coveted DIY week retailer of the year award at the 2017 DIY Week Awards.

Awards were announced at a ceremony held earlier this month at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.

There were 14 awards in total, across a variety of product and retail categories, with the winners revealed to a packed audience at the event hosted by television journalist Clive Myrie.

Broad Street DIY's award was presented by Stax joint managing director David Hibbert.

Unlike previous years, the retail nominees were unaware of the judge's shortlist until winners were announced making it a tense evening for staff, who had to wait as the week retailer of the year award was the final one of the night.

Judges praised the firm saying: "Broad Street DIY won our retail communicator award last year and the business has spent the past 12 months building upon that success.

"The directors have a clear understanding of their customer demographics, and of the trends which affect their business.

"There is a maturity about their management that is far beyond what you would expect in a business of its size – these guys are really punching above their weight.”

The firm also received praise for its recognition of the decline of the DIY dad and the subsequent loss of father-to-child DIY skills.

The judges also like the shop's creative approach in developing new customer-focused initiatives, such as its DIY ladies’ nights events.

Publication and event manager Joanne Bamber said: “A highly coveted DIY Week Award is a real quality mark for retailers and this award tells customers that they offer unrivalled products and service.

"Congratulations to Broad Street DIY.”

Lisa Childs, a director at Broad Street DIY, said: "We were absolutely delighted to win such a prestigious accolade as DIY Retailer of the Year.

“We are always looking at new and exciting ways to engage with customers and are already considering some new in store events for later this year.”