Stamco Timber has been presented an award for “best single branch independent builders’ merchant of the year” by BBC sports presenter Steve Rider.

The company received the prize for “reinventing itself as the “first choice” resource centre for building, timber and DIY needs in Hastings, East Sussex”.

  Judges said recent developments at Stamco had included a new façade, illuminated signs and a brightly-lit showroom.

Company chairman Leon Shepperdson collected the prize during an awards evening in London run by Builders’ Merchant News.