A GRAPHIC designer from Cirencester was honoured to accept a prestigious award naming him as the lead businessman in the town.

Simon May of May Media said he was proud to be presented with the Business Person of the Year award, after entering for the past four years.

He proudly accepted the accolade at Cirencester's Chamber of Commerce Business Awards at the Royal Agricultural University earlier this year.

“I’ve been part of the chamber for five years now and only recently joined as a committee member too,” said Simon, who runs a one-man business from his Chesterton home.

“I was generally surprised. I did not think I was going to win it at all. I’ve had some brilliant feedback about it from local clients and clients all around the South West too.”

The 46-year-old designer regularly works with clients such as Jesse's Bistro, The Cotswold Show, Westonbirt School and Somewhere Else.

"I designed the Cotswold Show website and have been working with the Cirencester Community Development Trust on their website too," said Simon. "I do a lot of work with Athena Web Design and Chute Design as well."

Previously working in the graphics department at the Ministry of Defence in Bath before moving to another design job in the same area, Simon decided to put an end to the long daily commute five years ago and started to set up shop at home.

"It's very hard work doing it yourself but it's also very rewarding," added Simon. "You suddenly realise you have to do everything on your own, but you can't physically do everything which is why I work closely with Athena and Chute Design."

He went on to say that a question his clients often asked of him is why he does not have his own website, despite designing them for his clients.

"All of my work comes through referral," he said. "I have never needed a website. As long as you do a good job then more work will follow. You're only as good as your last piece of work and if you do a good job and someone passes on your name then you have another client."

Simon May lives in Cirencester with his wife Rebecca and two children Adam, 20, and Samuel, 18. His eldest daughter Jessica, 23, lives nearby.