WINNERS in the twelve categories at this year's Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo Business Awards were announced last night.

Now in its 12th year the black-tie dinner event attracted more than 630 people to The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse.

The headline prize, the HSBC-sponsored Business of the Year Award, went to Fluid Transfer International of Nailsworth - a world leader in the manufacture of aviation, marine and ground refuelling equipment to commercial and defence markets.

Richard Hardy, area commercial director for Gloucestershire for HSBC, described the evening as “a top class celebration of business”.

“I am sure you will agree that tonight’s event has been a spectacular celebration of the skills and innovation and future potential and enterprise we have to look forward to in this county.

“It has been really good to see so many people and hear so many of them say how big the awards ceremony has become and how much bigger it is than similar events in other parts on the country.”

The awards judges singled out Fluid Transfer International as: “A company immersed in Gloucestershire providing business leadership in all that they do.”

A record number of companies - more than 300 - showed an interest in this year's awards.

Guests were welcomed by Andrew Blair, managing director of Gloucestershire Media, the publisher of the Citizen and Echo.

Mr Blair said: “Having been part of the judging process, I can say that these awards have been proof the business vitality is diverse and exists in every corner of the county. We can afford to be optimistic about the future with the talent that exists here.

“This year more than any other I would like to pay special tribute to the event sponsors. They make this event possible. This year, when every budget has been facing a stress test they have remained steady and they should be applauded for that.”

The awards were hosted by TV sports presenter and journalist and Gloucestershire resident, Jill Douglas, who said the evening was all about celebrating excellence and achievement in business in Gloucestershire.

Photographs from the evening and footage from the night will appear throughout the day.

A full report featuring the winners and pictures will also appear in The Citizen/ Echo today with a special 12-page feature in our BusinessWeek supplement on Tuesday.