OUTSTANDING AWARD: The Oil and Vinegar franchise, in Eldon Square, Newcastle, has won an award for outstanding performance. The accolade has been given to only five of the 100 Oil and Vinegar shops worldwide. Franchisees Mike and Gillian Ridley-Smith were flown to Amsterdam to receive their award, which recognised the dedication, motivation, inspiration quality and improvement of their work. Mr and Mrs Ridley-Smith set up the Oil and Vinegar store in Earl's Way, Eldon Square, two years ago. The company recently launched a promotion on products from France.

PARTNERSHIP SUCCESS: Laura Bishop has been named Business Leader of Tomorrow. She is the marketing manager at Country Valley Foods, Darlington, through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.

AGENCY APPEAL: North Yorkshire travel agent Spear Travels has come top in a travel industry magazine's consumer test. Travel Weekly runs a weekly mystery shopper column and Spear Travels, based in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, has been rated the best agent for the third time.

COMPANY SHORTLISTED: A manufacturer of chilled and frozen meals has won a place in the final of this year's Manufacturing Excellence Awards. International Cuisine, in Consett, County Durham, is one of 16 companies shortlisted for the title. The company will be judged by a panel of industry experts. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on June 29.

RADIO AWARD: Cath Ellington, managing director of 96.6TFM, has been nominated for one of the radio industry's top awards. She has been shortlisted for the UK radio industry's managing director of the year title in the x-trax British Radio Awards. High-profile national names, including Lesley Douglas, controller of BBC Radio 2 and Andy Parfitt, of Radio 1, are also in the running for the title.