THE Gibbon Bridge Hotel at Chipping has won the Duke of Westminster Award as the best small business in the North West.

In the region's most prestigious business awards, the family-owned hotel won the award for companies with fewer than 50 employees, sponsored by the Co-operative Bank.

And to make it an award double for East Lancashire, Darwen Councillor Simon Danczuk collected the 'Innovative New Business' category for his consultancy company Vision Twentyone.

Janet Simpson, proprietor of the Gibbon Bridge Hotel, was delighted to receive the best small business accolade from the Duke of Westminster at an awards dinner at Manchester's Crowne Plaza Midland.

Janet, who first opened the Gibbon Bridge with her late mother Margaret in 1982, was joined at the awards ceremony by many of her staff.

"We are greatly honoured to receive this award which recognises business excellence in the North West," she said. "It is undoubtedly a credit to everyone involved with the Gibbon Bridge who work as a team to create a first class hotel of which Lancashire can be proud."

Companies from throughout the North West contested the awards and were judged on their financial performance, innovation and first class commercial, technical and employment practices.

The Duke of Westminster presented a specially-commissioned crystal chalice to each of the six winners.

Simon Danczuk was delighted his business had picked up the award for innovation, sponsored by Campus Ventures and the North West Development Agency.

"It is all down to the team and their hard work," said Simon, who is standing down at the local elections as Labour Councillor for Earcroft.

"We are a very ambitious and determined company and we hope to go from strength to strength."

Vision Twentyone, established two years ago with Ruth Turner and Anne McNamara, the founders of homeless charity The Big Issue in the North, undertakes research and consultation programmes in the voluntary sectors.