A DURSLEY funeral director was named the best small-sized funeral planners in the West England at a prestigious award ceremony.

LW Clutterbuck won the prize at Golden Charter’s Funeral Planner of the Year awards on Friday, March 20, held at the Beaumont Estate in Windsor.

The awards are the biggest gathering of independent funeral directors in the UK, with this year’s event being the largest ever held.

The funeral director’s Jeremy Clutterbuck said: “We are really pleased to have been recognised as Funeral Planner of the year for the third year as this reinforces our commitment to delivering a first class funeral planning service.”

In addition to the award itself, a framed certificate and a cash prize, the Woodland Trust has dedicated trees on behalf of LW Clutterbuck, which are to be planted locally in recognition of the company’s achievement.

Golden Charter’s chief executive Ronnie Wayte said: “In their 22nd year the awards are more competitive than ever before, with funeral plans continuing to grow in popularity.

“This award is well earned proof that L W Clutterbuck has reached a remarkable standard.”

The Funeral Planner of the Year Awards focus on the funeral planning achievements of independent funeral directors, who make up a growing majority of the funeral industry.

Golden Charter Ltd, owned by an association of independent funeral directors, was established in 1989 and is the UK’s leading funeral plan provider.

More than 475,000 people in the UK have planned their funerals with Golden Charter.