LOCAL businesses are celebrating after being honoured at the inaugural Dorset Echo Industry Awards.

A ceremony presented by Steve Davies from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's tourism team and Dorset Echo deputy editor Samantha Harman was held at the HIX Academy restaurant at Weymouth College on Thursday evening.

It celebrated the sparkling customer service, innovation and hard work of businesses in the Dorset Echo circulation area.

See Saturday's Echo for an awards picture special.

Winners

Best Overall Retailer (Sponsor - Fleetline Taxis) Winner – WOODS

Best Customer Service Provider (Sponsor– Dowsetts) Winner – AL MOLO

Best Social Media Marketing (Sponsor – Dorset Echo) Winner – BRIDAL RELOVED

Best Business Development or Innovative Idea (Sponsor– WPCC) Winner –PERMANENT MAKEUP BY CLAIRE LOUISE

Best New Business (Sponsor – Basepoint Winner) – THE DORSET HIDEAWAY

Best Contribution to Local Tourism (Sponsor – Pengillys) Winner – POMMERY DORSET SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Best Product or Service (Sponsor – New Image) Winner - JURASSIC ELECTRIC BIKES

Best Community Engagement (Sponsor – Active Mobility) Winner – WEYMOUTH PAVILION

Best Business Engagement with Education (Sponsor– Weymouth College) Winner – CEFAS

The unexpected Judges Choice Award; presented by Andrew Prowse from the Society of Dorset Men, who was a judge alongside MP Richard Drax, Dorset Echo Editor Diarmuid MacDonagh and Steve Davies from WPBC awarded to - Sea Life and Jurassic Skyline