More than 900 people enjoyed a night packed full of top-notch glitz and glamour as they celebrated the very best county companies  at the Shropshire Business Awards 2010.

Nine companies were privileged to pick up the prestigious awards including construction and civil engineering business McPhillips of Wellington, which scooped the title of Company of the Year at Friday’s ceremony, held at the Telford International Centre.

A special award went to Ludlow hedge-cutter making firm McConnel, which won the Champion of Champions title.

Tony Randall, President of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, which organised the event with the Shropshire Star, said: “Tonight we celebrate the 10th Annual Shropshire Business Awards – and we have an audience of a more than 900 guests to celebrate the best of Shropshire.

• Don’t miss Monday’s Business Star for more coverage and a picture special from the event.

“We have recently been awarded accreditation status from the British Chambers of Commerce. Its Director General, David Frost, said Shropshire Chamber is leading the way on patronage and membership retention throughout the country at 91 per cent.

A record-breaking year for the Shropshire Business Awards, organised by Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and the Shropshire Star, saw more tickets sold than ever before. And guests at the black-tie event heard from speaker Lord Digby Jones, with Master of Ceremonies for the evening the Shropshire Star’s Assistant Editor Carl Jones.

Star Business Editor Amy Bould compered the awards and thousands of pounds was raised for Severn Hospice, in football themed game of heads and tails.

Best Small Business went to Halesfield-based Global Freight, the freight forwarding company run by Nicole Howarth. Best New Business went to e-commerce specialist ChoiceShops.

The Best Western Valley Hotel scooped the Green Award, with Tough Furniture picking up an award for Technology, Enterprise and Innovation.

Tension Control Bolts of Whitchurch won the International Trade Award and Best Employer went to Severnside Housing.

The hotly contested Customer Service category was won by Shrewsbury accountants Dyke Yaxley .

The winners

• Company of the Year – McPhillips, Wellington
• Best Employer – Severnside Housing, Shrewsbury
• Best Green Business – Best Western Valley Hotel, Ironbridge
• Best Small Business –  Global Freight, Telford
• Best New Business – ChoiceShops, Telford
• Customer Service – Dyke Yaxley Chartered Accountants, Shrewsbury
• International Trade – Tension Control Bolts, Wem
• Technology, Enterprise and Innovation – Tough Furniture, Craven Arms
• Champion of Champions – McConnell, Ludlow

By Business Editor Amy Bould