A FUNERAL director in Hatfield has scooped a prestigious award.

J J Burgess & Sons, of The Common, was named Golden Charter Regional Funeral Planner of the Year for the North London and East England region.

The award was for the firm’s “dedication and commitment in providing an outstanding service to the community”.

Justin and Margaret Burgess travelled to Brands Hatch in Kent to collect the award on behalf of the company.

In addition to the silver salver and framed certificate from Golden Charter, the Woodland Trust dedicated a stand of trees in J J Burgess & Sons’s name at Penn Wood, Buckinghamshire, in recognition of their achievement.

J J Burgess & Sons was judged as a regional winner from more than 1,500 other funeral businesses which exclusively offer Golden Charter funeral plans, the largest funeral-planning network in the UK.

Margaret Burgess said: “I am delighted to receive this award.

“The award pays tribute to all the hard work put into the business by and the dedication and professionalism of all my colleagues.”

Ronnie Wayte, managing director of Golden Charter said: “This is the 18th year of the particular awards, and each year it becomes more difficult to choose a winner.

“Through these awards Golden Charter has been able to recognise personal excellence and professional commitment in one of the most difficult and challenging areas of serving the public.”

“J J Burgess & Sons, have set the standard for this and following years, and we are delighted to recognise this achievement.”