A SMALL Greenwich family business managed to outshine national decorating companies to claim the first Millennium Award presented by the Painting and Decorating Federation.

Thomas Welch was awarded the prize for his restoration work on a Lewisham home (pictured right).

Mr Welch undertook a complete redecoration of the front, side and rear of a captain's house as well as extensive repairs to the ceilings, chimneys, gutters, pipes and stairs.

He said: “When we removed the old ceilings, which dated back to 1856, we could see the roof beams were reclaimed timber, probably from a sailing ship.”