Hartlepool businesses last night turned out to recognise the achievements of firms in the area, at the town's own business awards.

The prestigious awards were held at Hartlepool College of Further Education, and were presented by Dr John Bridge, chairman of the region's development agency, One NorthEast.

The overall winner of the Hartlepool Business Awards 2000 was FlexAbility.

The company, based on the Parkview Industrial Estate, started in 1987 with just a handful of employees and now employs almost 100 people producing flexible printed circuit boards.

The company won the award, a handsome individual trophy made by design and engineering students at Hartlepool College.

The company also took home a cheque for £2,000 from the awards ceremony.

The judges said that FlexAbility was operating in a highly competitive world market .

Through continued investment and innovation the company has been able to compete with the best companies in the Far East.

The runner-up in the Best Business Awards, which are held every two years, was East Durham Manufacturing Company.

The father and son owned business began manufacturing mining equipment and moved to Hartlepool with the closure of the pits.

It now makes specialist equipment, including copper tube producing machines and fittings for oil supertankers. More than 90 per cent of its business is for export.

The third placed business was printing and publishing company Atkinson Print.

The best new start business award went to SJS Civil Engineering.

For the first time the ceremony, which was compered by Paul Gough, from Century Radio, included awards for the best shops in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, and for up and coming businesses in the Owton Rossmere Partnership area which is benefiting from funding from the Single Regeneration Budget.

Commenting on the awards, Brian Beaumont the Chairman of the Business Awards said: "The judges were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of all of the businesses they contacted.

"Hartlepool has lost its traditional industrial base and is now home to very many small companies .

"It is only when you go out and about and see companies in their own premises that you realise there are so many vibrant businesses who are doing well in their own fields."

lAward Winners:

Best Business - FlexAbility

Runner Up - East Durham Manufacturing Company.

Third Place - Atkinson Print

Best New Start - SJS Civil Engineering Limited

Runner Up - Castle Eden Brewery

Best E Commerce and It Company - E-Merce Services

lMiddleton Grange Shopping Centre Awards

Overall Best Shop - Holland and Barrett

Large Shop Category - Boots

Medium Shop Category - Holland and Barrett

Small Shop - Klick Photopoint

Market Hall Category - Special Occasions

lOwton Rossmere Partnership Awards

Best New Business - Turbo Active Limited