ODETTE Funeral Director has been named best funeral planner in the west region at this year’s Funeral Planner of the Year Awards.

Owner Odette Carter said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been nominated and to win, what is our first award. We have operated in Calne for the last three years and to have won is a fantastic achievement for myself and the team."

They won the small business category, in the event run by funeral plan provider Golden Charter.

Hosted by radio DJ Ken Bruce, the awards took place at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and featured a performance by the world-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

As part of the award, the Woodland Trust has dedicated trees on behalf of Odette Funeral Director, which will be planted locally at Clanger Wood, in recognition of the company’s achievement. Odette and her daughter Sara Jones attended the awards ceremony,while son Tom Carter looked after the office.

Golden Charter CEO Suzanne Grahame said: “The respected and caring work of independent funeral directors within their local communities often goes unrecognised and so it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the team at Odette Funeral Director for their tremendous achievement in winning this award."

She added: “The award recognises the excellent service the team from Odette Funeral Director has delivered to their local community, by helping individuals through the funeral plan process and supporting families when they need it the most.”

The Funeral Planner of the Year Awards celebrate the independent funeral directors who are excelling in promoting pre-paid funeral plans, and by doing so providing peace of mind for families that everything is taken care of.