THERE was plenty to celebrate for county town businesses at the first ever Dorchester Retail Awards.

Talented traders and sensational shops were recognised across a range of categories with Lord and Lady Fellowes handing out the prizes at the awards night at Kingston Maurward College.

Taste* restaurant was declared the overall winner on the night while many more were recognised for their achievements.

The awards had been funded by the Dorchester BID (Business Improvement District) and the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce and managed by Spotcheckers Retail Division, which sent an independent mystery shopper to each of the 37 participating businesses.

Spotcheckers director Mandy Payne said: "The speeches on the evening identified that we have been spoilt for choice with a fantastic range of shops from Dorchester entering and winners from such a great range and type of retail.

"This rich diversity, which includes many specialists, means that Dorchester has great shops with talented staff that really make an impact with shoppers.

"People appreciate their expertise and it is terrific to see Dorchester retaining this, particularly when high streets across the UK are undergoing so much change."

Todd Moffat from Taste* said he was delighted to have been awarded with the overall title at the first ever Dorchester Retail Awards.

He said: "We're thrilled, we have been here nine years and to have been recognised in the first year of the awards is great."

Todd added that it was great to see Lord and Lady Fellowes supporting the event and he hoped to see it carry on in future years.

Figure 8 was named as overall runner up while Sproston and Bowden claimed the award for best customer service ahead of Great Western Camping.

The award for best window display in town went to Goulds household store, with Alum and Sidaway recognised as runners up.

In the best use of social media and website category Melbury Gallery claimed top spot ahead of Goulds.

Best newcomer went to I Buy and Sell with the runner up award going to Fantasy Flowers.

Sharon Ward from BuySpecs Direct won the award for best individual staff member.

As part of the competition process, each shop that entered received feedback from Spotcheckers from the visit by the mystery shopper.

As well as helping to identify the winners of the 2015 awards, Spotcheckers will now be using the feedback and appraising the skills and business needs of the retailers to identify where the town and retail specialists may be able to support them more in the future.

The Dorchester Retail Awards were sponsored by David Upshall Insurance Services, Humphries Kirk and Kingston Maurward College.