THE UK’s largest estate agency rewarded exceptional staff performance in its Kent branches in a ceremony at the International Study Centre in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral.

The Countrywide group operates branches of Mann Countrywide, Bairstow Eves and Geering & Colyer across the county.

Andrew Benn, managing director of Countrywide in Kent, said: "We had an outstanding 2005 results with an increase of eight per cent in net sales, reflecting our primary focus on quality and personalised service."

More than 20 team members at Mann Countrywide, Bairstow Eves and Geering & Colyer were award winners in a number of categories.

Richard Watts of Bairstow Eves Ashford, was awarded top lister of 2005. Donna Bogard, Frank Watkins and Neil Harvey, Martin Regan, Tanya Andrews and Chris Selby-Green all received awards of excellence.

The top branch managers – Richard Gates of Mann Gravesend, Darren Jones of Mann Sydenham and John McKenna of Mann Dartford – were recognised for their outstanding performance in their towns.

Andrew Benn added: "Our mission for 2006 is to continue our focus on providing a professional, comprehensive and quality service to our clients by sticking to the traditional offering. We find that our customers really value the honest service that we provide."

2005’s overall performing branch went to Mann Countrywide in Rochester and top sales person of the year was awarded to Cherille Feeney from Geering & Colyer in Dover.

Last year’s high performers included Tracy Theakston, Rob White, Stuart Houghton and Lee Goodall for exceptional sales and management performance.

Top mortgage consultant of 2005 was Dominic Harris from the Mann office in Dartford.