by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A care business is aiming to pull off a rare double triumph after winning a top national award.

Beech Tree Total Care, based in Margate, was named Home Care Business of The Year at a ceremony hosted in London by comedian Ruby Wax.

Beech Tree Total Care is also a finalist in the Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) and will find out tomorrow at a glittering gala dinner at Leeds Castle whether it has won another accolade.

Beech Tree has been helping private and social care clients remain independent and live with dignity in their own homes since 1991.

The company cares for the elderly and adults with disabilities in Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Westgate, Birchington, Cliftonville, St Nicholas and throughout Thanet. It has special expertise in caring for people with Alzheimers,

This specialism is headed by Mary Becket, Beech Tree's manager and director. She was delighted with the award. "We know what a great job the Beech Tree team does but it’s wonderful to get independent validation.

"Getting into the final really boosted everyone’s spirits. The feel-good factor of actually winning a national award is fantastic. Our carers should feel justly proud and our clients will feel that bit more special."

The London ceremony was staged by Ceretas, formerly known as the British Association of Domiciliary Care (BADCO), the professional association dedicated to individuals working in home care.

Sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland, the Ceretas National Home Care Awards are regarded as the premier event for the industry. With the aim of promoting best practice within home care, the awards pay tribute to individuals and companies who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.