THE HEREFORDSHIRE Business Awards returned for a second year to celebrate the success of business around the county.

The business community from around the county gathered at the Three Counties hotel to celebrate the hard work, achievements and talents of independent businesses in Herefordshire.

The event was hosted by ITV Central News presenter Matt Teale and the judging panel was made up of Frank Myers MBE, Bobbie Heavens MBE and Charlotte Thomas.

Fifteen awards were up for grabs for the more than 200 businesses that applied over the county.

Special guests included Bill Wiggin MP; The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Sue Boulter; the Vice Chairman of Herefordshire Council Councillor Phil Edwards; The High Sheriff of Herefordshire Nat Hone Esq.Dl and Deputy Lieutenant, Major Patrick Darling.

Councillor Phil Edwards said: "It was a privilege to represent Herefordshire Council at the recent Herefordshire Business Awards 2018 event with representatives of successful companies from Ledbury to Hay on Wye and from Shobdon to Ross on Wye plus Hereford itself, all brought together to celebrate Herefordshire means business. So much to learn and aspire to and emulate in the future."

Bill Wiggin MP added: "I'm always keen to see excellence rewarded, I think people work very, very, hard, without recognition. It’s a good mix of diverse businesses from across the county and it showed the breadth of talent."

The general public voted for Rocket Kitchen Café in Church Street for Customer Service Provider of the Year, which received over 1400 votes via the Herefordshire Business Awards App, while judging panel named BBR Optometry Ltd Entrepreneur of the Year.

Across the other categories, Brook House Woods took home New Business of the Year while Small to Medium Business of the Year was awarded to The Real Birth Company Limited.

Medium to Large Business of the Year went to Dawleys; Julu Ltd won Growing Business of the Year and TPG Disable Aids Ltd was crowned Employer of the Year.

Other awards were handed to Marius Pectu from Think Rethink for Employee of the Year; eTravelSafety for Best use of Technology of the Year and Trekkit for Retailer of the Year.

Exporter of the Year went to Helping Hand Environmental Ltd; Professional Services Business of the Year to Kinder Pocock Chartered Accountants and Eco-Friendly Business of the Year to T.J. Crump Oakwrights.

Discover Parks was named Family Business of the Year while Pure-Studios won Creative Business of the Year.

The Herefordshire Business Awards will return next year.