Devizes-based housing association manager Hannah Allen is one of the housing sector’s top stars.

Ms Allen, 26, won 24housing magazine’s annual Young Leaders Award.

Ms Allen, is head of customer involvement and community development for Aster Communities based in Horton Avenue, Devizes.

She beat stiff competition from 100 other nominees to win the award, which recognises and rewards the best up-and-coming talent in the UK housing industry.

To win she had to undertake tasks including attending the National Housing Federation’s leaders’ forum and exhibition and reporting her findings in 24housing, giving the magazine’s readers an insight into her job on a typical day and making a presentation to the judging panel.

Her prize is to spend a day shadowing David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation and being guest editor of 24housing for its November edition.

She said: “I’m thrilled to have won the competition, but just being able to take part has been a fantastic learning experience.

“The industry is currently going through a great deal of change and it’s been really useful for me to find out what other people in the sector think about its future.”

Originally from Liverpool, Ms Allen began her career as a youth and community worker in Merseyside before moving south three years ago. Since then she has made rapid progress and heads up a team of 27 staff.

She said: “I really love my job. I’m passionate about empowering people and working with them to make their local communities better places to live. It’s very satisfying to know that what I’m doing is making a positive difference to people’s lives.”

Jo Savage, group services director for the Aster Group which nominated Ms Allen for the award, said: “Hannah thoroughly deserves to win this award. I’ve worked in the housing sector for more than 23 years, but even I find myself learning things from Hannah. She has all the attributes for a very long and successful career.”