Waitrose scored a hat-trick of gongs at this year's The Grocer Gold Awards - including the coveted The Grocer of the Year award.

The retailer received the accolade from Rory Bremner at a lavish ceremony at London's Guildhall, beating off stiff competition from Ocado, Morrisons and The Co-operative Group.

Its value range Essential Waitrose was awarded Own-Label Range of the Year, while the chain also won The Grocer 33 Customer Service Award. "To win one award would have been fantastic but to win three is incredible," said Waitrose MD Mark Price. "I am so pleased for the team as they've worked so hard."

Tesco retained its title of Britain's Favourite Supermarket for the sixth year running the only Grocer Gold Award decided by consumers. Booker picked up two awards, including Wholesaler of the Year, and Ocado won Online Retailer of the Year.

Forecourt retailer Park Garage Group was voted Independent Retailer of the Year.