Staff and bosses at a building firm are celebrating after coming top of the pile in a national competition.

Bybridge Construction based in Bucknell, near Bicester, beat competition from thousands of firms to be voted Master Builder of the Year for the renovation of a former Wesleyan chapel at Stanton St John.

Winning the contest, organised by the Federation of Master Builders, was a major coup for managing director Mark Gaul as the firm only started in 2004 and employs just nine people.

Mr Gaul, 32, said: "I was completely overwhelmed when the announcement was made - I could hardly stand up out of my chair!"

The Stream House Chapel, which dates back to 1928 and was previously derelict, stands in the garden of Dr Victoria Hunt's home.

Costing about £76,000, the project involved transforming it into a light, modern home with an all-glass room overlooking a hillside stream. The builders and architect Juliet Coleman had to stick to strict conservation rules and regulations, while Dr Hunt was keen to be as green as possible with her fittings and use of materials.

The chapel now incorporates efficient underfloor heating, low voltage lighting, an energy efficient boiler and a wood-burning stove.

Now Dr Hunt, who runs a business providing women in African villages with medical training, intends to use the property as a guesthouse.

She said: "I couldn't recommend Bybridge more highly and have already booked them for my next project."

That will be the property next door, which she has just bought and, in keeping with the green theme, will include a heat pump running from the stream.

Mr Gaul added: "It was a tough but interesting job. We enjoyed the build and are delighted with the result."

Mr Gaul runs Bybridge with his cousin Jess Barrett. It is based in Bucknell's Bainton Road after outgrowing its original premises in Bicester.

The company also won the Small Renovation Projects category at the awards.

Mr Gaul won a Nissan truck worth £20,000, while Dr Hunt can claim the holiday of her choice worth £3,000. Both also won a weekend break.

Bybridge has just started work on its biggest project to date, building a 6,000sq ft house in Wallingford.