MAKING arrangements for the final journey has helped Lochgelly's John Gilfillan funeral directors win a top award.

It has been named the best small size funeral planner in the north Scottish region at this year’s Funeral Planner of the Year Awards.

Hosted by the BBC’s Dan Walker, the awards mark the biggest annual gathering of independent funeral directors in the UK and took place at the Park Plaza London Riverbank Hotel.

In addition to the award itself, a framed certificate and cash prize, the Woodland Trust has dedicated trees on behalf of John Gilfillan funeral directors which are to be planted locally in recognition of the company’s achievement.

John Gilfillan said: "I am delighted to receive this award. I would like to thank my team for all the hard work throughout the year and of course a special thanks to all those people within the local community who have used John Gilfillan funeral directors. It has been a privilege to serve you all."

The awards are run by funeral plan providers, Golden Charter, and the firm's Malcolm Flanders said: “These highly competitive awards are now in their 24th year and, each year, the standards increase.

"Funeral plans continue to grow in popularity and the awards are more competitive than ever before.

"As independent funeral directors continue to set new standards of service, this award is well earned proof that John Gilfillan funeral directors are among the very best in the profession.”