A WINCHESTER business has scooped top prize at a recent national awards ceremony.

Bluebird Care Winchester & Eastleigh were named Newcomer of the Year 2012 at the National Bluebird Care Annual Care Awards, seeing off 32 other new centres throughout the UK.

The care provider was opened in Winnall in March by husband and wife team Norman and Claire Murphy. The pair were presented with their trophy at a ceremony on October 13.

Mr Murphy said: “When we started our Bluebird Care business we had a very clear objective and that was to only provide the level of care that we would expect for our own relative or friend. Together with my wife Claire we pride ourselves in being a family business and family really is at the heart of everything we do.”

Since the Winchester & Eastleigh office opened, they have built a staff of 35 people and are soon to welcome their 100th customer.

Bluebird Care's services range from a brief check-in to see whether someone has taken their medication, to full live-in support.