WINNERS from across Dorset celebrated in style at the Open 4 Business awards and dinner at Weymouth College.

This year’s awards attracted a record 51 entries from 40 businesses and gave recognition to local companies striving forward at a time of recession.

The Business Link-sponsored event also provided networking opportunities for the 175 guests.

Aquarium Technology Ltd (ATL) claimed a prestigious double at the annual extravaganza by winning Exporter of the Year and the overall Business of the Year title.

Founder and managing director Nick Stantiford of the Weymouth-based company said he was ‘gobsmacked.’ He praised his team of employees, shareholders and directors who run ATL on a co-operative basis, making water-based displays, aquariums, water tanks and specialist glazing for projects in Europe and the United States.

Mr Stantiford said: “This is the first time we’ve entered the awards and to win two is just fantastic.

“It’s nice to have recognition for 13 years’ hard work.

“This just ticks the box as far as ownership from within is concerned.

“Everybody has the incentive to do well and I’m really proud of my team.”

The Flame Award for the person who has made an outstanding contribution to local business went to Andrew Dyke of the Pineapple Group.

The Salway Ash-based company provides business support and management advice to farmers, landowners and country businesses.

Mr Dyke said: “I’m totally shocked, I had no idea.

“I’m truly proud and very honoured to win it.”

Other winners included Catwards Draughting in the West Dorset Small Business class and Sunflowers Floral Design in the Weymouth and Portland Small Business category. Equation Accounting won New Business of the year and Wowz Design & Print won Apprentice of the Year.

Apprentice Jamie Hughes, 19, wore a suit for the first time to collect the award with Wowz director Nikki Davies.

He said: “I’m just pleased a local company has been acknowledged for working really hard.”

The Customer Service Award went to Farmer Palmers and Tourism Business of the Year went to Sunshine Ceramics.

Cocoa Media claimed the Technology in Business award and the Jurassic Coast Sustainability Award went to Bagwell Farm Touring Park.

A collection on the night raised £900 for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, and then Lloyds TSB bank matched the amount to bring the total to £1,800.

ROLL OF HONOUR

West Dorset Small Business (sponsored by West Dorset District Council): Catwards Draughting.

Weymouth and Portland Small Business (sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses): Sunflowers Floral Design.

New Business (sponsored by the Enterprise Connection): Equation Accounting.

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Weymouth College): Wowz Design & Print.

Customer Service (sponsored by Champagne Video Production): Farmer Palmers.

Exporter of the Year (sponsored by D J Property): Aquarium Technology.

Tourism Business of the Year (sponsored by Getaway Digital): Sunshine Ceramics.

Technology in Business (sponsored by Universal Engineering): Cocoa Media.

Jurassic Coast Sustainability (sponsored by Jurassic Coast/Dorset and New Forest Tourism Partnership): Bagwell Farm Touring Park.

Flame Award: Andrew Dyke of the Pineapple Group.

Business of the Year 2009 (sponsored by Business Link): Aquarium Technology Limited.