The winners of the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club (FLBC) Business Awards were announced by compere, Mark Cummings of BBC Radio Gloucestershire, last weekend during an impressive ceremony held at Cotswold Hoburne, South Cerney.

There had been an unprecedented number of entries, 59 in total, for this year’s awards with the winners selected by a panel of independent judges.

The premier award of Business of the Year that can demonstrate a successful track record of excellence and achievement went to Highworth-based Green Hills Cleaning run by Amy Bedford, while Business Person of the Year was presented to Andy Cole of Andy Cole Magic.

Other winners included The Cotswold Chippy who won New Business of the Year and Sweetness & Pea who won Most Innovative Business of the Year.

The Y10 Business Student from Farmor’s School was Lizzie Dawson, who impressed the judges by identifying a gap in the market for soft dog biscuits for ageing dogs that have trouble with their teeth.

Last year, a new Hospitality Award was introduced in memory of Bob Warren, the late landlord of The Trout Inn, Lechlade.

This award was chosen by public vote for the hospitality venues that best demonstrated the spirit of Bob, offering great hospitality, excellent customer service, a warm and friendly atmosphere and provided a fantastic all-round experience.

There were 30 nominated venues receiving nearly 600 votes in total, with the winner, The Coffee Post, Fairford, receiving nearly a third of them.

Finally, the Howard Dowler Award is named in memory of a founding member of FLBC.

The winner is chosen by the FLBC chair, Helen Webb to recognise an outstanding contribution to the community.

Howard’s son, Neil Dowler, presented the Award to Helen’s chosen team, Giuseppe and Zeus from Colosseo Italian Ristorante, Fairford.