AN innovative business, based at Preston Cross near Ledbury, is getting used to award-winning ways, against regional and national competition.

Bavenhill is a family run engineering company that was established over 60 years ago, owned by Robert Chapman - managing director. In recent years they have branched out creating two further sister companies, Pattenden Machinery which offers bespoke agricultural engineering, and secondly Bavenhill HVAC, started by Mr Chapman's eldest son, Chris, with a focus on heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Last February, Bavenhill was asked to go to the Welsh Energy Efficiency Awards in Cardiff , where they achieved a commended award for a Poultry House Air Source Heat Pump Project, in Chepstow.

Bavenhill then were put forward to attend The West Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards, in May where they entered various categories and successfully gained a first prize for renewable heating and were highly commended and commended in all other areas.

After this success Energy Efficiency asked if Bavenhill would attend the Nationals in Birmingham. At the Nationals Bavenhill achieved second place in Small Scale project of the year for their work at Penrhos Court, Kington, Herefordshire.

Penrhos Court is A former hotel and wedding venue known as a ‘haven to the stars’ due to its popularity with the musical elite and also playing host to celebrity guest speakers at Hay festival.

A spokesman said: "Under the ownership of Mark Bentham and Laura Lane, Penrhos is now entering the final phase of its transformation into 8 luxury holiday cottages, a café, shop and spa.

Mark and Laura purchased the grade 2* listed property in January 2016 and decided at an early stage that Penrhos should be an environmentally responsible destination.This belief lead to them contacting the team at Bavenhill to discuss the options for renewable heating systems.

Mr Bentham said: “The decision to use the knowledge and experience of Chris and the team at Bavenhill was never in question. They fully understood our complex requirements and have installed a ground source heat pump system which caters for both our and our future guests needs perfectly. Being awarded second place at the national finals is fantastic! It really is the icing on the cake!”