HOLIDAY agency Howard Travel came runner up in the Sunday Times' Travel Agent of the Year awards and only lost out on the top spot because it is a victim of its own success.

The independent travel agent, in Church Walk, Trowbridge, scored exactly the same number of points as the eventual winner but lost out in a tie-break question because it did not return a phone call quickly enough.

Mystery shoppers tested each of the finalists in the competition on their advice and helpfulness, posing as potential holiday makers.

Tricia Adams, office manager at Howard Travel, said: "We are absolutely thrilled and the most wonderful thing was the clients who voted for us.

"We have been overwhelmed by how many people nominated us.

"The comment, made by the judges, that we are a victim of our own success is true, but we are still thrilled."

The Trowbridge firm did well in the first test, which saw it score nine out of 10 for its advice on where to spend a holiday in Mauritius, and eight out of 10 for its advice on Brazil. It was only let down in the third test.

The judges said: "Howard Travel may be a victim of its own success. We waited more than two hours for staff to call us back with a fare of £119 to Paris.

"There was a blip at the end but the staff's enthusiasm shone through.

"We would be happy to book with them."