BRAINTREE based business partners have won an award for achieving the best sales figures for 2017 within a international franchise.

Julie Ward and Allison Bayes, of Molly Maid, which is based on the Springwood Drive Industrial Estate, won the 2017 sales growth award at the business' annual convention.

The dynamic duo managed to grow the business by 26 per cent last year, amounting to an increase of £74,000 in value.

Both have now qualified for the Molly Maid Presidents Circle, which recognises the top performing franchises.

Molly Maid Braintree, which Mrs Ward set up in 2006 and later joined by Mrs Bayes in 2011, has just added a ninth car to its fleet and last year cleaned more than 6,400 homes.

Mrs Ward and Mrs Bayes said: “We are so pleased to be part of such a large national brand.

"Our journey with Molly Maid to become successful franchise owners is testament to our belief in the outstanding reputation of the brand.

"We strive to follow this through and to provide a reliable, high quality service to our customers and it is thanks to their loyalty and that of our staff that we continue to be a success."

Molly Maid is a professional home cleaning services, carrying out 2.7 million home visits per year worldwide.