THIS North Oxford property was transformed from student accommodation to a luxury home.

And now the building firm behind the renovation project of the Victorian villa in Norham Road has won a national award for the work.

Bicester-based Sporn Construction was crowned Master Builder of the Year at the Federation of Master Builders ceremony last Wednesday.

The family-run company, which was set up more than 50 years ago, beat off 70 other competitors.

Director Robin Sporn said: “We were absolutely overjoyed to win.

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“The firm was started by my father Bernard and I joined in 1998, and since then we have expanded to do larger projects.

“We are a local contractor and most of the work is in or around Oxford itself so our staff are all local. It is a real testament to the work of our team, they put their heart and soul into producing high quality builds.”

Judges praised the way the builders overcame complications including restrictions in the building and described it as an ‘incredibly challenging’ project.

The building, previously owned by Oxford University and used for student accommodation, was gutted and restored in a year-long project which involved building built a kitchen basement extension with floor to ceiling glazing.

Owner Jeanne Flynn said: “I am delighted that Robin Sporn and his team have won. They were an absolute pleasure to work with and the quality of the work speaks for itself.

“We are very happy in our new home and we would not change a thing.”

Mr Sporn added: “The FMB has been continually striving over the past 15 years to improve the image of construction and the awards are part of that, to raise awareness that there are lots of fantastic building contractors other than the cowboy builders you see on TV.”