A LIFETIME achievement award was presented to David Clayton, managing director of Bassets Sales and Lettings.

Journal publisher Bill Browne handed over the award and said: “One of the things I have learned about David in the 13 years of knowing him is that he does not fear obstacles.

"To him they are simply challenges."

He said he was not a man to leave things to chance and it was his attention to detail that had seen him build the business to its current level — having recently established his fifth office, this time in Tisbury.

The business has gone from strength to strength in the last 13 years, picking up many industry awards along the way.

"David is an economics and statistics graduate, which will not be a surprise to anyone who knows him. Review and analysis are all part of the discipline he has. And it is this philosophy that he has applied to many of the things that he has done for the benefit of the community.

"I don't know at what point a Guildford boy is adopted by a city like Salisbury, but I think there are clear indications that it is beginning to take him to heart. Particularly after helping to establish the Salisbury Craft and Heritage Festival in the Cathedral grounds last year."

Family man David is a director of Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, a Rotarian and he founded the Salisbury Rotary and Chamber Community Group.

He said he was speechless after winning his second award of the night.