SEVEN companies have been celebrating their achievements at Darlington Business Venture's annual awards.

The event was held at the New Grange Hotel, in Darlington.

Les Mooney, owner of the Gulp Cafe, won the overall Business Achievement award.

New Business of the Year 2003 was awarded to Guy Hamilton of Commercial Interior Specialists.

The awards were hosted by Darlington Business Venture, now in its 21st year, and sponsored by Darlington Borough Council with the support of leading organisations and Business Link Tees Valley.

Hilary Dunne, marketing manager at Darlington Business Venture, said: "This event is a celebration of the success generated by some of the new businesses recently set up in Darlington and Stockton.

"We hope events like this will encourage people thinking about setting up their own business to come forward and get help from us."

Darlington Business Venture is on (01325) 289610.

* The winners were:

Business Achievement Award: Les Mooney, of Cafe Gulp

Employer Award: Robert Hardman, of All Events Security

Business of the Year: Guy Hamilton, of Commercial Interior Specialists

Retailer of the Year: Deborah Allan, of Nail Bar One

Marketing Award: Joanne and Lee Rankin, of Rubber Sole

Young Entrepreneur: Louise Coldwell, of Glide Logistics

Heart of Gold Award: Louise Savage, of Genuine Care.