A building site manager from Dorchester has won a top industry award.

The South West region’s best site managers have been recognised by the National House Building Council (NHBC) in the Pride of the Job awards.

Representing C G Fry & Son Ltd, Stephen Walker picked up the award in the medium builder category for his work at the firm's Poundbury development.

Mr Walker was also awarded a Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence.

Mr Walker will now go forward to compete for the ultimate prize in house building, the Pride in the Job Supreme Awards, which will be unveiled at a gala ceremony in London in January.

Now in its 44th year and widely considered the ‘Oscars’ of the house-building industry, Pride in the Job has become the benchmark for exceptional site managers.

Judging is rigorous, with assessment across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety.

Two other site managers gained a Quality Award in the first round of the competition. They were Lloyd Bryant of McCarthy Stone Retirement Lifestyles Southern in Wimborne and Dave Murnane of Bellway Homes Wessex in Bournemouth.

Steve Wood, CEO at NHBC, said: “For more than four decades, Pride in the Job has underpinned NHBC’s purpose of raising standards in house building. The competition recognises the UK’s top site managers, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence. 

"While house building is a team effort, we believe the greatest influence on the quality of a finished home is the calibre of the site manager and the way they inspire their team. Congratulations to all the winners.”