Staff at a Benfleet bank were today toasting success with a bottle of bubbly after being told they offer the best customer service in the country.

The Benfleet branch of Natwest beat off competition from all over the UK to come top in a national customer-driven competition.

The award given to the bank, in London Road, is voted for by customers and aims to recognise branches which deliver an all-round quality service to customers.

Tracey Prendergast, manager at Benfleet branch, said: "When you work so hard as a team to deliver a quality service, it's great to receive a national award from the bank. But it means so much more because it is our customers' comments that have put the branch in the top spot."

Questionnaires issued to customers were used to determine which NatWest branch would get the honour.

Published Friday July 30, 2004

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