Stone Homes, run by husband and wife team Dale and Jo Robinson and based in Longhorsley, Northumberland, also won the award for Best Small Builder for their properties, The Old Forge and Juniper House at Longhoughton, near Alnwick.

And the company was named as one of the runners-up in the Best Renovation category.

The Old Forge in Longhoughton, Northumberland, was one of a handful of properties completed by small builder Stone Homes, overall winner of the 2005 Journal/Evening Gazette 21st Century.

Stone Homes was only set up in 2002 but soon built a reputation for high quality renovation and construction.

In last year's 21st Century Living Awards, the company was a runner-up in the Judges' Special Award for its development at Budle Bay, near Bamburgh, Northumberland.

Journal editor Brian Aitken and David Steven, managing director of award sponsors Grange Interiors, presented Stone Homes' directors Dale and Jo Robinson with the overall winners' award at the Newcastle Marriott Hotel in front of more than 380 representatives of the construction industry.

The awards evening was introduced by Newcastle Chronicle and Journal managing director Steve Brown.

He said the judges had had a tough task in visiting all the properties and deciding on the winners. Stone Homes were praised for the quality of construction, attention to detail and the high level of personal service given to buyers.

The judges had been impressed by the company's high standards, fresh approach and relationship with buyers, often long after the completion of a sale.

The Old Forge, thought to be 250 years old, was once the blacksmith's shop in Longhoughton but had been redundant for 15 years.

Stone Homes combined a sympathetic restoration with modern features. It also wanted to build an extension to look as if it had always been part of the Listed building.