A local funeral service firm has been recognised with a national award for its efforts in the community.

Hillier Funeral Service has been a fixture in Swindon for over 100 years helping to lay the town's loved ones to rest.

But The Great British Business Awards has crowned the family-run business as the winners of the 'Outstanding Contribution to the Community' award in part for the massive amount of work it puts into supporting members of the public left behind.

Rebecca Hillier, who is currently manning the reigns at Hilliers after taking over from her father Mark Hillier, said: "A big part of why we won was because of our bereavement care support.

"Four months after a service, we contact every family to see if they need further support, and this has been something that has been running in our company for 27 years.

Swindon Advertiser: The Hillier family celebrating their national award win for Hillier Funeral Service's communtiy work

"It's all about supporting people as much as we can after somebody they loved has passed away, our involvement doesn't end after the funeral."

There is an in-house counsellor who provides bereavement sessions for anyone that needs further support, free of charge.

There are also a number of support groups with people meeting bi-weekly and occasionally going on day trips or to social events together.

Hillier's was initially nominated for the regional Great British Business Awards where it was a finalist and so was automatically shortlisted for the national awards.

Despite travelling to an awards ceremony Rebecca and her parents Mark and Val did not think they would win, with Rebecca describing her shock when their company's name was read out.

"Dad was like 'Once this award is announced we can go,' because we didn't think we would win but then they read out Hillier Funeral Service and we were in total shock. I had not even prepared a speech so I had no idea what I said."

The company was also praised for its restoration of the Grade II listed Kingshill House in Old Town, as well as its other community-minded initiatives.

This year, to mark its 100th year in business, the funeral home launched a community fund with charities able to ask for a share of £100,000.

Other things include the installation of a letter box to heaven, carrying out a soup kitchen, collecting easter eggs and taking people to prom in limousines.

Rebecca added: "Our local community is incredibly important to us. We only got to 100 years through the support of the local community."