A WEST Kent company specialising in children's savings has beaten giants in the UK money industry to become Company of the Year in a national competition.

Tunbridge Wells Equitable Friendly Society won the title at the 12th annual Financial Adviser Life Assurance Association service awards, presented at the Natural History Museum in London.

The firm, provider of Baby Bond and University Bond, also received a five star service award in the life and pensions category for the second year running.

And for the first time it gained a similar award in the investment providers and packagers category. The accolades followed the society winning the Kent Business Award earlier this year.

Chief executive David White was thrilled by his company's success as it outstripped formidable rivals such as Fidelity, M&G and the Prudential to take the title.

He said: "To be honoured for our level of service above any other financial services company in the UK is a fantastic achievement, particularly as we have just 190 staff.

"We've worked very hard at our relationships with independent financial advisers in recent years with the ultimate goal of keeping saving for children high on the nation's agenda."