A WINSFORD funeral director has been named the best small-sized funeral planner in the West Midlands and North Wales.

Fowles Funeral Services, a family-run business run by Geoff and Carole Fowles and their son Dave Fowles, bagged the accolade at 2015’s Funeral Planner of the Year awards.

Organised by market leading funeral plan provider Golden Charter, the awards are the biggest gathering of independent funeral directors in the UK.

This year’s event was the largest ever held.

David Fowles, said: “The benefit to our family-run business of offering Golden Charter funeral plans is that our families know that their funerals are all taken care of in the manner that they would have wanted.”

The Funeral Planner of the Year Awards focus on the funeral planning achievements of independent funeral directors, who make up a growing majority of the funeral industry.

In addition to the award itself, a framed certificate and a cash prize, the Woodland Trust has dedicated trees on behalf of Fowles Funeral Services, which are to be planted locally in recognition of the company’s achievement.

Ronnie Wayte, Golden Charter’s chief executive, said: “In their 22nd year the awards are more competitive than ever before, with funeral plans continuing to grow in popularity.

“This award is well-earned proof that Fowles Funeral Services has reached a remarkable standard.”