A Brighton estate agents has won the inaugural Argus award for professionalism.

The presentation was made at the annual dinner of The Brighton and Hove Estate Agents Association held at the De Vere Grand hotel in Brighton on Friday.

The award for raising professional standards in the property industry, sponsored by The Argus, was won by Avard estate agents, of Ditchling Road, Brighton.

Editor Simon Bradshaw presented the award to partners Sean Avard and Neil Standing with association president Michael Davis.

He said: "One nominee described the firm as 'fair and honest' while another mentioned the fact the partners lent her the deposit she needed to exchange on the property.

"This firm also scores through its work with the community, especially schools and local charities."

Avard had supported Uplands School in Hollingdean, Brighton, by sponsoring an underprivileged child to go on an overseas holiday every year and staff had helped raise £5,000 when they all turned up at the school auction.

Downs Infant School in Ditchling Road had also benefited from sponsorship.

The firm had also paid for 30 fridges at St Patrick's Hostel for the homeless in Hove, part-funded the annual Carden Park Festival, planted trees at Balfour School and donated to The Argus Appeal.

The two runners-up were Elliotts and Goldin Lemke, both of Church Road, Hove, whom Mr Bradshaw also warmly praised.

More than £3,000 was raised at the dinner, half of which will be donated to The Argus Appeal.

Tuesday February 17, 2004