BEXLEY Heritage Trust which manages two of Bexley’s historic houses, has won an award for educational excellence.

Sandford Awards are given by the Heritage Education Trust to recognise the quality and excellence of educational facilities and services in historic properties.

The scheme currently encompasses 200 historic sites across the UK and Ireland and inludes houses, cathedrals and museums.

Bexley Heritage Trust has won the ward for its work at Hall Place, the Tudor mansion in Bourne Road, Bexley.

Its two education officers Annie Gill and Helen Pronger lead taught sessions on-site and do outreach work.

The trust now teaches more than 10,000 children a year, from as far away as Hertfordshire, with hands-on workshops which are so popular they have to be booked several months in advance.