THE explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE was the guest speaker at an annual awards ceremony last night.

The Groundwork Business Environment Association in East Lancashire dinner and awards was held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, in Clayton-le-Moors.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson presented the evening, held to honour local businesses.

Groundwork's managing director Purnima Tanuku was on hand at the ceremony as was the Lancashire Evening Telegraph editor Kevin Young.

A list of award winners will appear in tomorrow's Lancashire Evening Telegraph.