WEYMOUTH businessman Nick Bourne has scooped the regional Franchisee of the Year Award.

The Cash Generators supremo beat hundreds of rivals to claim the title at the NEC in Birmingham.

Nick claimed the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisee of the Year honour for the South West and South Wales region.

He made it through to the final 16 – along with Dream Doors of Dorchester – before being named as the regional winner.

Nick, who has Cash Generator franchises in Weymouth, Yeovil and Southampton, said: “I am really delighted to have got through to that stage. No one from Cash Generators has won a regional title before.

The former police community support officer added: “The success is due to the high standards in the stores and the high standards of staff as well.

“Thanks must go to the staff and the public because we wouldn’t be where we are without them.”

Nick started the Weymouth Cash Generator on the seafront in October 2006 before taking over the Yeovil store and then moving into Southampton. He employs about 30 people.

He now plans to open a Poole store in the town’s former post office after Christmas.

The shops sell second-hand and new items for sale as well as offering financial services such as foreign currency exchange, gold purchases, cheque cashing and instant cash loans. Nick’s hard work has brought him such rewards as a 36ft boat, an Aston Martin and a penthouse apartment as well as awards and satisfaction of seeing his business thrive.

Dream Doors also helped Dorset to a good showing. The Damers Road based company specialises in replacing kitchen and bedroom doors.

The company is able to revamp the look of rooms by fitting new, made-to-measure doors rather than refurbishing the whole room.

But it can also provide a full service to provide a completely new kitchen.

The finalists received a plaque. Nick received another plaque, £500 and a certificate to mark his regional title.