THE North-East's top companies have been recognised.

The North-East Business Awards, at Auckland Castle, were the culmination of three heats in Northumberland and Tyneside, Tees Valley and Durham, and Wearside.

The top award, Company of the Year, in which Darlington conservatory manufacturer Amdega won the Tees Valley heat, went to Voyager Foods, of Sunderland.

The Export Award, also won by Amdega in the Tees Valley heat, was won by Fin Machine of Sedgefield.

Stockton-based Brulines took home the Small Business Award, while Teesside Training and Enterprise Council scooped the Business in the Community Award.

The Technology Award went to the Teesside Virtual Reality Centre, at Teesside University.

Darlington furniture manufacturer Magnet proved it was back to business as usual, winning the Training and Education Award.

The Retail Award winner was Peterlee flooring specialist BHK (UK).

The Internet Award was presented to Newcastle firm Dataform, while the Best new Product or Service Award went to Newcastle software firm My Business.

The Services Award was won by Industrial Technology Systems of Middlesbrough.