A COMPANY which began on Canvey has celebrated its 75th anniversary as the runner-up in a national award.

Tower Radio has been named the runner-up in the Retailer of the Year award.

Tower, a family business, was established on Canvey in 1933 and has been trading successfully in Essex and Hertfordshire.

Bernard Litman, who is the grandson of the founders of the business is chairman of the Tower Radio Group.

It has branches in Southend, Hadleigh, Canvey, Thundersely, Basildon, Harlow and Letchworth.

Mr Litman's father Mick Litman became a local celebrity in 1965 when he brought back for sale to England the first colour television from America.

The business grew with the TV rental and sales business, originally combined with selling prams and records and a range of domestic appliances.

Now Tower sells TVs, home cinema equipment and a broad range of white goods.

The company's retail shops are backed by a large warehouse operation holding large stocks of products, so customers can take their purchase away the same day or have them delivered quickly.

Now in their ninth year, the awards look at which independent electrical retailers offer the best shopping experience based on feedback from customers.

They are organised by Domestic and General, the largest specialist provider of breakdown protection for domestic appliances, electronic equipment and gas central heating systems.