HYNDBURN'S best businesses were honoured at a special awards ceremony.

The second Hyndburn Business Awards were held at Accrington Town Hall with more than 414 nominations received across the 16 categories.

The winner of the Stonehouse Logic Award for the best overall entry of the year went to the Civic Arts Centre and Theatre in Oswaldtwistle, who also took home the tourism trophy.

Creative director Gayle Knight said: “This year we have raised our profile in the community.

“We try to change things all the time and be original and different and try to give the community the opportunity to be creative.

“We are always trying different ideas and it is lovely to be recognised."

The Pride of Hyndburn award was given to joint winners.

Oswaldtwistle gym owner Mickii Edwards collected the award for his fundraising, while Hyndburn Helpers were honoured for their project offering food and support to those in need.

Volunteer Lisa Hilton said: “”It was just fantastic to win.

“We’re not very well recognised in Hyndburn and we had some very worthy opponents.

“I was just amazing to win, we were all shell shocked.”

Another business that scooped two trophies was The Balti House in Rishton, which won the food business trophy and the customer friendly title, which is nominated by customers.

Tributes were also paid to Evonne Harwood, the winner of last year’s Enterprising Person Award, who died suddenly in April.

Rob Carder, from the awards’ organisers Enterprising People, said next year there will be a new award named 'the Evonne Harwood Event of the Year' in tribute to her work organising Warner Street’s Dickensian evening.

Garlands Florists of Oswaldtwistle was the only business to retain its trophy on the night scooping the independent retailer title for a second year.

A delighted Rachel McClure said: “I am over the moon and can’t believe it."

Other notable winners include Lancashire Women’s Centres, who won the community business award, The Bridal Lounge of Accrington, who won the sole trader prize, and Little Sparks Nursery, who were named best new business.

Emerson and Renwick picked up the large business award, Acorns of Lancashire won the MicroBusiness prize, Sundown Solutions won the ‘Made in Hyndburn’ category and The Art Garden was named creative business of the year.

Employer of the year went to CMAC group, the apprenticeship prize was won by System Hygiene Ltd and the small business award went to joint winner Bevlan Office Interiors and Whewells of Accrington.