MPs, council leaders and business chiefs have their say on the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards.

Mike Damms, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “These awards go to prove there are a lot of talented companies.

“It is also important to talk about young people. When they choose what they should do for a living they will find opportunities in East Lancashire.

"The companies and opportunities are already here.”

Wendy Bowers, president of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It has been an evening full of inspiration which just goes to prove that Lancashire is leading the way with hard work and innovative forward-thinking businesses.”

Presenter Diane Oxberry said the awards evening was great.

She said: “I love the mix of very established companies who are represented yearly and then we get people doubling turnover in smaller companies.

"They all need to shout more about what they do.”

Blackburn College principal Ian Clinton added: “It is important, especially in the recession, to celebrate what has been achieved in East Lancashire.

"There is a real buzz.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “It has been a fantastic event which has showcased all the good news and the wonderful achievements of businesses in East Lancashire.

"We’ve had some fantastic success stories tonight.

“The Government has seen through things like the new University Technological College coming to Burnley and investment to infrastructure like the re-opening of the Todmorden Curve and Pennine Lancashire getting over £3million of business support.

“I think there is a lot for businesses to be optimistic about.

“We are in incredibly tough economic times, the global outlook is still dire, but here in East Lancashire we have many firms bucking the trend.

“And as a Government we are very keen to encourage and support them to continue creating more prosperity, jobs and a bright future.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader, Coun Kate Hollern, said: “The Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards are great for promoting businesses and to celebrate the achievements locally.

“In recent times it has been all doom and gloom about business and, of course, this is an opportunity to give people hope and confidence.

“There are still things to celebrate in the area. I’ve heard some amazing success stories tonight.”

Lancashire Telegraph editor Kevin Young praised the standard of entries and noted the ‘extremely stiff competition’ between nominees.

He said the awards ‘hold up a mirror to everything going on in the region’ and that each company had ‘tales of true inspiration’.

He added: “Despite the dire international economic situation the achievements and range of skills and enterprise shown by these businesses is a huge encouragement for the future wellbeing of East Lancashire.”