THANET model train maker Hornby Hobbies has been elected company of the year at the Financial Times/London Stock Exchange awards.

The business, based on the Westwood industrial estate, was given the top honour by an independent panel of judges and investors. It was announced in London last night (March 24).

Neil Johnson, chairman, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we can all be proud of our company.

“I want to personally thank our customers and investors who continue to support us, but above all praise is due to all the teams in Margate, America and China who have made this outstanding result possible.”

Hornby, whose latest successes have included the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express trains, has been one of the major employers in Thanet for decades, producing scale trains and the Scalextric model racing cars.