Bradford's own supermarket chain Morrisons beat off the giants last night to be voted the country's top supermarket.

And its 67-year-old chairman, Ken Morrison, also picked up a Lifetime Acheivement Award for his contribution to the industry at a glittering ceremony in London.

The awards were the crowning glory to the company's centenary year and today Mr Morrison, who is expected to become a billionaire this year, said: "We work hard. We are grocers at heart and never lose sight of our shoppers."

The chain, which last month opened its 100th supermarket in Nelson, Lancs, has seen business grow dramatically since it opened its first store in Bradford in the former Victoria Palace Cinema in Girlington in 1961.

At the ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, the coveted 'Multiple Retailer of the Year' award, the top honour in the Retail Industry Awards, was presented to John Dowd, Morrisons' managing director. Ken Morrison collected his trophy from Peter Blackburn, chairman and chief executive of Nestle UK.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to the person who has made the most outstanding contribution to the retail industry during their career.

Mr Morrison was selected in recognition of his "mammoth achievement" in making his company one of the most successful multiple chains in the country.

Speaking about his award, he said: "I am very proud. It pays a great tribute to the hard work of everyone in the company. Their continuing commitment has contributed greatly to our success."

Mr Morrison has spent the last 47 years transforming the then small market stall operation into the country's sixth largest chain which now has an annual turnover of £2.5 billion.

He has kept his formula for success simple: "Define what you want to do and do it!"

The company was started in June 1899 by Mr Morrison's mother and father, William and Hilda. It began as an egg and butter merchants with market stalls in Bradford and Dewsbury and was so successful that they quickly opened shops and self-service stores.

The firm employs 30,000 people and is in one of the big-six supermarket group. It made pre-tax profits of £174.9 million last year.

Mr Morrison said today staff at all 100 stores would be treated to a celebration meal.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.