The owner of a traditional Shropshire firm is celebrating winning a national award. Wellington Carriage Company has been named the Countryside Alliance’s top traditional business of 2008.

Judges said Philip Holder deserved recognition “for creating a thriving business based on traditional craftsmanship”.

The 66-year-old founder and sole employee at the business has been making and repairing traditional horse-drawn carriages since he was a teenager.

“I was really surprised I had won,” he said.

“I was happy when I found out I had won the West Midlands title a few weeks ago, so it came as a real shock when I then found out I had won the national one as well – one of my customers had nominated me.

“I have been doing this for 50 years, I got interested in horse carriages when I was about 14.

“I think the judges saw the business as quite interesting because it is so old fashioned.” And Mr Holder is not the only person from Shropshire and Powys who could be honoured in the alliance awards.

He was due to attend a reception at the House of Lords in Westminster today when the winners in the other categories will be announced.

Dorrington Village Stores is just one of 12 across Great Britain to be shortlisted for the title of best village shop/store.

Creation Gardens plant centre, in Nantmel, near Llandrindod Wells, is on the shortlist for best rural enterprise, while Councillor Heather Kidd, South Shropshire District Council member for Chirbury, is in the running for the title of rural campaigner of the year.

Councillor Kidd said: “I’m very flattered to be put forward for this award.”