A FAMILY coach firm is celebrating after winning a hat-trick of accolades.

Anthony’s Travel on Cormorant Drive, Runcorn, hailed the ‘best in Britain’ last year, has won the small coach fleet operator and innovation in safety gongs at the 2016 UK Coach Awards.

The company, founded in 1985 by Anne Bamber and her late husband Tony, was also a finalist in another three sections at the awards in Manchester.

The day after, Anthony’s Travel won the excellence in marketing at the 2016 Halton Business Awards.

Partner Richard Bamber said: “It’s a wonderful achievement for everyone at Anthony’s to win these awards.

“It’s a testament to the hard work of all our team, our loyal customers, community partners and our commitment to providing high-quality affordable coach travel for all.”

It is the second year running that the firm has won the small operator of the year.

The company has been a finalist in the best fleet section for seven years.

Richard said: “What’s particularly pleasing is the nominations come from customers, so it’s our own clients who have taken the trouble to nominate us, which we find humbling.”

The innovation in safety award was presented to Anthony’s Travel for its continued investment in technology and proactive management to sustain high safety standards.

The company’s entire coach fleet is fitted with full CCTV systems, vehicle location systems and equipment that monitors the performance and behaviour of every driver.

Richard said: “Every driver has to pass multiple breath tests throughout the day before the coach will start.”

Winning the Halton award, he said, was a great honour as the firm was competing against other coach companies with much larger budgets.

“We have developed an effective marketing strategy, which enables maximisation of product awareness and brand on a local and national level,” added Richard.

“The marketing award completed a hat-trick of awards in less than 36 hours.”