Staff at a Bexleyheath shop have won an award from National Lottery bosses at Camelot for their excellent customer service skills.

The WH Smith store in the Broadway won the runner-up prize for top variety retailer of the year in the 1997 best lottery practice awards.

Staff collected their prize at an awards ceremony hosted by TV funnyman Tony Hawkes in front of 250 guests at the prestigious Dorchester Hotel in London.

The shop beat 4,000 `gold standard' retailers from across the country to the award.

The judges included senior figures in the retail industry including Roger Clarke, chief executive of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and Linda Pettit, editor of SuperMarketing magazine.

Mr Clarke said: "It has given me great pleasure to judge Camelot's awards which demonstrate foresight and initiative plus high retailing standards, in particular the innovation and commitment, knowledge and enthusiasm."

Richard Elliot, Camelot sales director, said: "Retailers are a vital part of our relationship with players. They are the human face of Camelot. Their commitment, knowledge and enthusiasm are invaluable."

WH Smith Bexleyheath came second to a Woolworths store in Stoke-on-Trent.

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