THE boss of an East Lancashire property firm behind some of the best known developments in the area has scooped a top award.

Stephen Ashworth, chairman and managing director of the Hurstwood Group, based in Rossendale, has been named Property Entrepreneur of the Year by business magazine EN.

Under Mr Ashworth's leadership the group now has an annual turnover of more than £40million on construction work alone and is worth more than £100million.

In East Lancashire Hurstwood is behind a £40million redevelopment of Rawtenstall town centre which could create 1,000 jobs, is involved in plans to redevelop the Weavers Triangle, Burnley, and is the new owner of the former Apollo cinema, Blackburn.

Mr Ashworth said: "This award is a real honour for me and excellent for the profile of the Hurstwood Group.

"I always consider these prizes as recognition for the entire team, because our success is based on the hard work and initiative of every member of the company.

"This latest award, the EN Property Entrepreneur, is particularly special because we were up against some very tough competition.

"To win it reflects the real and significant progress Hurstwood has made over the past couple of years."