HOUSEBUILDER Hillreed Homes has won its third Green business award in less than six months.

The firm was one of five winners out of 70 entries in the first Maidstone Means Business Awards. Hillreed, based in College Road, Maidstone, won the Environmental Award.

The firm is the reigning 2002 Kent Environment Business of the Year for its environmentally-friendly housing development at Iwade, near Sittingbourne.

It also scooped the Sustainable Design and Construction category in the same awards that were sponsored by Kent County Council, Business Link Kent, Cogen, Mid Kent Water, Pfizer, The Environment Agency, the University of Kent and the Kent Messenger Group.

Other winners in the MMB awards were The Stone Shop (Burlite Ltd), East Farleigh (Maidstone Business of the Year); Pure Hairdressing, Newnham Court Shopping Village (Maidstone Small Business of the Year); Clover House Interiors, Bearsted (Maidstone New Business of the Year); and Gallaghers, Aylesford (Contribution to the Borough).

Dan Daley, Maidstone council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Tourism, said: “Judging has been a difficult but fascinating experience.

"Maidstone should have great pride in the entrepreneurs who drive so many local businesses forward."

The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Pat Marshall presented the awards, sponsored by Downs Mail, at a ceremony in Maidstone Museum.

The judging panel included representatives of Maidstone Chamber of Commerce, the Town Centre Management Initiative, the Federation of Small Business and the Downs Mail.