Britain's best builder and four times over.

THE developer of Sykes Court, Lidgett Street, Lindley, has topped the charts in a national survey of British house builders for the fourth year running.

McCarthy & Stone, the retirement specialist is the only builder in Britain to achieve a double five-star rating in the Home Builders Federation survey of customer satisfaction.

It is the fourth time McCarthy & Stone has achieved a 'full house' in the star-rating system, meaning at least 90 per cent of customers were happy with the quality of their home and would recommend it to a friend. Furthermore, it was the only builder to win five stars in either category.

The survey - initiated by a Government report on the state of the house building industry - covers various aspects of house buying from speed of completion to the number of defects found.

McCarthy & Stone, which has specialised for over 30 years in properties for older people, also came top in last year''s HBF survey using spot checks taken quarterly.

Chief executive Howard Phillips said: "There is only one way to achieve a result like this, and that is to encourage total commitment to quality as part of the company''s culture. At McCarthy & Stone, it is embedded at every level. The proper supervision of all work and the right choice of suppliers and subcontractors is also a vital part of the process.

"We also have systems in place to make sure every property is in good order when a resident moves in, and an after-sales service that is second to none for those odd occasions when something isn''t quite right.

"Older buyers are discerning people who may be moving at a time of illness or bereavement, so we need to make absolutely sure they have as little to worry about as possible."

McCarthy & Stone provides around two-thirds of Britain's private sheltered housing and has also won gold and silver medals in the national Housebuilder of the Year awards for the past eight years.

Stewart Baseley, HBF executive chairman, said: "To achieve such a rating is a fantastic achievement that demonstrates both McCarthy and Stone's determination to deliverwhat its customers want and the wider industry''s commitment to improving the service it offers."

The apartments are designed for people seeking a more manageable and secure home in their retirement.

Each is fitted with advanced security systems and a 24-hour personal emergency service.

Other typical facilities on the development include a lift, guest suite for friends and family who wish to stay overnight, a self-operated laundry and a central lounge for residents' social events.

CONTACT: Apartments at Sykes Court are priced from pounds 153,950, for further information or to arrange a viewing, call the sales office on 01484 640492.

McCarthy & Stone's Assisted Living and Extra Care developments have enhanced services including a restaurant and staff on duty around the clock.

For information on nearly 200 McCarthy & Stone developments with new apartments available, call 0800 919132 or visit the website: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk

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TOP NOTCH: Sykes Court, at Lidgett Street, Lindley. Developers McCarthy & Stone has topped the charts in a national survey of British house builders for the fourth year running