Last updated at 15:02, Friday, 01 February 2013

Three Cumbrian builders have been recognised in prestigious regional and national awards.

George Lattimer, centre, comedian Michael McIntyre, right and Mike Quinton, chief executive of the National House Building Council

Asbridge Building Contractors and Carrock Construction won regional categories in the Master Builder of the Year Awards run by the Federation of Master Builders.

And George Lattimer, of Lattimer Homes in Mealsgate, was runner-up in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Supreme Award to find Britain’s best site manager.

He was invited to a gala dinner in London earlier this month after being named as a regional winner in the NHBC’s Pride in the Job Awards last autumn.

He received the runner’s-up award from comedian Michael McIntyre,

Mr Lattimer has won more than 50 Pride in the Job regional or national awards, and has been a national Pride in the Job winner a record eight times.

He was shortlisted this time in the new single-plot category for the quality of work at Fairview, a four-bedroom split-level detached family house at Oulton near Wigton.

He said: “It was a fantastic evening and an absolute pleasure to meet Michael McIntyre.

“Once again, the standard of national finalists was unbelievably high. I was just happy to have won the regional award to get there.”

Asbridge Building Contractors, at Sowerby Row near Sebergham, won the ‘new homes’ and ‘commercial’ prizes in the northern counties’ section of the Master Builder awards.

The firm triumphed in the new-homes category for its work on a four-bedroomed house at Wreay, near Carlisle, and in the commercial section for a new Methodist Chapel at Castle Sowerby, Penrith.

Carrock Design and Build, of Hutton Roof, Penrith, won the categories for large and small renovation projects.

The former for a barn conversion at Bassenthwaite and the latter for a walkway between two buildings at Newby, near Penrith. Nominations for the Master Builder awards must come from a satisfied client. Builders are judged on their technical ability and customer-service skills.

Asbridge and Carrock go through to the national finals.

The winners will be announced by architect and TV presenter George Clarke at a ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London, on March 20.

If either is successful, they will drive away in a new Nissan light commercial vehicle of their choice, worth up to £20,000, while the client who nominated them wins £3,000 in cash.

First published at 14:33, Friday, 01 February 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk