WATERSHED PR has been judged the most Outstanding Small PR Consultancy in the region.

The Bridport-based company won a Gold award from the PR industry’s governing body, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

Agency founder Sara Hudston said: “I was really pleased to see the hard work and outstanding creativity of our team here at Watershed recognised by the industry.”

The judges praised the consultancy’s high quality of work and strong business growth.

Mike Kean, chairman of the Wessex region CIPR group, said: “Watershed fought off some really tough competition to win the award and Dorset should be proud to have such a high quality public relations consultancy on its doorstep.”

Author and former journalist Mrs Hudston formed Watershed in 2005 and has seen the agency grow from a small studio in West Milton to larger offices in St Andrew’s Road, Bridport. The company now employs five people and is set to grow further.

The recent success comes after Watershed was a finalist at last year’s PR Week awards, beating many larger agencies. It was the only agency from the south west to be named as a finalist in the category.

Mrs Hudston said: “Our team combines a strong background in journalism with top-flight PR and marketing experience.”