Charlie and Nick Diggle, back left and back right, brothers and company directors of Martin & Co Cambridge, celebrate with their Martin & Co colleagues.

Letting agent Martin & Co has been named Franchise of the Year in the Negotiator Awards 2011.

The firm’s Cambridge office in Mill Road narrowly missed out in the two catergories where it was shortlisted – Community Champion of the Year and Employer of the Year.

But the group was praised for its impressive growth and development in an ever-changing and fast-moving lettings industry.

Nick Diggle, company director at Martin & Co Cambridge, said: “In addition to winning the Franchise of the Year award, we’re delighted to have made the top six national finalists in these two other important categories.

“The judging panel was made up of some of the top names in the property industry and only the very best agents that met their high standards were invited to compete at the finals.

“We’ve won a number of industry awards in Cambridge over the years, and becoming a negotiator finalist for the first time just motivates us to do more at the agency. No doubt we’ll be back for a trophy next year.”