A HAMPSHIRE company scooped the best travel agency award in the South East at a prestigious ceremony.

Meon Valley Travel collected took the top spot at the TTG Top 50 Awards.

It held off stiff competition from across the region to scoop this top prize, which was calculated by a combination of ratings by suppliers and interviews.

Meon Valley Travel, based in Petersfield, also won the regional award in 2016 and were finalists the following year.

James Beagrie, managing director, said: “To be awarded best agent for the whole of the south-east of England is quite a feat especially as over 400 agencies were initially put forward for the award process.

“Winning such a prestigious award is a welcome recognition not only for the value and inspiration we have the privilege of sharing with our customers but how we look after them through the whole journey and beyond. After all we do get to make people’s travel dreams come true."

Mr Beagrie added that the award recognised the hard work put in by all his team.

“We are deeply flattered to be recognised in such esteemed company with some of the country’s biggest names and being voted top by our peers is particularly heart-warming to know that the hard work and effort that everybody put into this last year has been welcome.”

Mr Beagrie said that throughout Covid Meon Valley Travel has "stood like a beacon" for the industry, whilst remaining true to its principles, and ensuring that no customers were stranded on their holidays.

“In these toughest of years, it’s a testament to a brilliant team and our talented consultants who have stood by our customers and made sure from the outset that everybody who was stranded abroad initially got home and through the year to maintain faith to our treasured customers wanting flexibility support and knowledge,” he said.