One of Brighton's oldest firms has won an award for its electronic control panels.

Allenwest Electrical, once a major employer in the area, was presented with the Panel Builder of the Year award at a ceremony in London.

It is the second time the firm has won the title.

The award makes it the best firm in the country for producing electrical switches and circuits which make up the panels.

Phil Hall, managing director and Mike Bailey, sales and marketing director, were at the Lancaster Hotel in London to receive the award.

The pair were also celebrating the end of their second successful year since taking over the company in a management buyout.

Allenwest was once a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of electrical switchgear, employing more than 3,500 people during the Second World War.

It suffered a decade of decline before it was taken over by Mr Hall and Mr Bailey with backing from finance experts Krown Abbacus.

The workforce at that time was down to 69.

Since then, the Moulsecoomb-based company has enjoyed a rise back to the top of the industry.

It now employs more than 100 people.

The latest award follows the company achieving 30 per cent growth in turnover in year one and a further 30 per cent in its second year.

Allenwest has launched new electrical products aimed at smaller businesses and schools.

Mr Bailey said the new markets provided a constant flow of work and makes Allenwest less vulnerable to shifting trends in the marketplace.