AN independent bed business which lost its founder last year has won a national award.

The Bed Experts – which runs Northgate Bedding Centre in Darlington, Portrack Lane Bed Centre in Stockton, Newbridge Street Bedding Centre in Newcastle and Sunderland Bedding Centre – won independent bed retailer of the year at the recent National Bed Federation (NBF) awards.

The awards seek to recognise the manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and e-tailers who are leading the way in the bed industry.

Competition was strong with entries from up and down the country.

General manager Colin Heal said: "We are over the moon to have won this prestigious award.

"The retail bed trade is highly competitive and receiving this honour helps our customers to differentiate us from our competitors.

"Our bed experts sell with authority and our customers buy with confidence."

Company founder Geoff Gale died suddenly last year.

His wife Gill said: "This award pays tribute to everything we have worked for since establishing the business in 1986.

"Traditional values, customer service and expertise are what we believe in and it is wonderful that this has been recognised."

Chris Edwards-Thorne, of Cabinet Maker/Beds magazine, said: "No other industry awards are subject to such intense scrutiny and debate from such a discerning panel of judges.

"So all NBF Award winners can take great pride that their recognition among such fierce competition is an outstanding accomplishment."