THE director of a firm specialising in student accommodation who grew up in Horwich has won a Sunday Times Letting Agency gold award.

Sean Lawless, aged 24, has risen through the ranks at Durham-based Bill Free Homes since joining the firm as a part-time student helper while studying at Durham University.

Bill Free Homes won the silver award last year, but went one better to be voted Britain’s premier student letting agent.

More than 500 lettings agents from across the UK attended a glittering ceremony at The Lancaster Hotel in London where the winners were revealed.

As well as Mr Lawless, a former headboy of St Joseph’s RC High School in Horwich, the event as also attended by Bill Free Homes managing director Peter Smith.

The prize was presented by Katie Piper, best-selling international author, inspirational speaker, TV presenter and charity campaigner who has rebuilt her life after surviving a brutal attack in which she had sulphuric acid thrown in her face, with renowned journalist, author and newsreader Penny Smith acting as compere.