The “faithful and evocative” restoration of a village pub devastated by fire three years ago has picked up a prestigious design and conservation award.

The Kings Head in Bradwell on Sea reopened to the public six months ago after undergoing work to rebuild the historic watering hole.

The pub was ravaged by fire in September 2014 after an industrial fryer blaze – two days before Richard King was due to complete his purchase.

Mr King spent the next three years painstakingly restoring the building, some of which dates back to Tudor times, alongside a team of dedicated craftsmen.

At a ceremony this week the pub was awarded the building conservation award at the 34th Maldon District Design and Conservation awards.

Richard’s carpenters, Stan Chippett and Toby Slater, repaired the timber-framed structure, with guidance from Malcolm Ginns, an expert surveyor.

Tony Cussen prepared the architectural drawings for the planning and building control applications.

Richard King said: “It is a great accolade for us. We didn’t go into it trying to win, but it is nice to have all the hard work recognised.

"All the people on the judging panel have either been specialists or are specialists in their field.

“It was a double edged sword taking on the pub and I was originally going to buy it before the fire.

"The fire was traumatic for the landlords and difficult for the locals who did not have their pub.

"But on the plus side they have ended up with a revamped pub with a contemporary interior.

“The project took a long time, but doing a good job takes time.

“I hope Bradwell benefits as a result of the award and Mike and Kay who run it have a long and successful career there.”

Penny Channer, chairman of the judging panel, said: “Each of this year’s winners is outstanding in its own way, but the judging panel was particularly impressed by the rescue and restoration of the Kings Head in Bradwell on Sea.

“This important medieval building could so easily have been lost following a fire in 2014.

“Not only has the current owner, Richard King, saved the building, but the restoration displays an exceptional level of craftsmanship.

“One of the judges, John Tompkins, a retired architect with many years’ experience working on his - toric buildings remarked that the timber-frame repairs were the best he had ever seen.”

The refurbishment of 44 Wantz Road was highly commended the category. Work at 38a High Street in Tollesbury collected the design award with Church Cottages in Ulting being highly commended.

The repair works to the Royal Engineer’s workshop at Stow Maries Aerodrome was the sustainability winner with 38 and 38a High Street, Tollesbury highly commended.