IT was a case of third time lucky for 'designer' Bromsgrove couple Nicola and Richard De Sousa - as they were crowned the cream of the crop of the country's builders.

The Marlbrook husband and wife, who set up building company Mister & Missus Limited five years ago, saw off competition from across the UK to win best Heritage Project in the prestigious Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) Master Builder Awards 2019.

Nicola, 41, and Richard, 47, had won regional awards in 2015, 2017 and 2019 - indeed they won three this year - but this was the first time they had scooped national honours.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Before and after pictures of the kitchen area renovated by the De Sousas.Before and after pictures of the kitchen area renovated by the De Sousas.

The couple - who have been married for 15 years - won the award for the work they had undertaken on the extension of a three-storey townhouse and were handed the gong by television presenter Nick Knowles, star of DIY SOS, at a lavish ceremony in London.

Nicola said: "We’re incredibly proud to have won the National Heritage Award; it is the icing on the cake after winning three awards at regional level this year for our bathrooms and renovation work as well.

"We’re passionate about what we do and are delighted to have been recognized by so many building professionals as being at the top of our game and providing an excellent quality of building work.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Before and after pictures of the bathroom renovation that helped the De Sousas win the national award.Before and after pictures of the bathroom renovation that helped the De Sousas win the national award.

"It is a delight to have a client who trusted us to do the best by the house and to see them enjoying it now."

The De Sousas undertook a comprehensive renovation, restoration and extension of a property built in 1846 which had been bought by Alistair Blacklaws as a holiday home for his family.

The property had been in the ownership of the same family for some 60 years and was essentially derelict.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The couple also renovated the front of the building.The couple also renovated the front of the building.

An attractive house with beautiful proportions, it had undergone a lot of superficial work and an extension in the 1960s that had removed its original features.

The owners had also removed a staircase and added a bedsit in the basement.

The client wanted to be able to share the house with friends and family, so the priority was to return to its 19th century glory, but make it a modern, sociable space.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The master bedroom that the De Sousas delivered.The master bedroom that the De Sousas delivered.

Mister & Missus was employed to renovate it, restore the period charm, add a mansard roof extension, extend the existing ground floor extension and, eventually, after a stroke of genius on their part, add a fourth floor to the closet wing extension.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “Mister & Missus played a key role in the design of this extensive refurbishment and the results are simply stunning.

"The firm delivered a first-class job and they’re a credit to the FMB.”