Bedford

IT'S been a tough year in business but Bedfordshire companies were celebrating last night.

The Rising Stars Bedfordshire and Luton Business Excellence awards had all the glitz expected of the annual Premier Newspapers event.

Around 200 men and women from the business community turned out at The Park Inn, Bedford, to hear this year's winners.

Paul Gibson, managing director of Premier Newspapers, said: "In these testing times it has been more of a challenge to find sponsorship funding but we are really pleased to be able to present the awards again.

"It is amazing to receive entries from individuals and businesses that are still achieving great things and rising above the current economic climate."

The shortlist of 24 nominees who impressed the judges ranged from IT and technology professionals to hairdressers and pub owners.

But the big winner was Bedford's Visionplus Ltd (Specsavers), declared Company of the Year 2009.

This highest accolade goes to the company which demonstrates "exceptional business achievement" through sustained growth and profitability.

Matt Stewart, a director at the Midland Road Specsavers branch, said: "It is the first time we have entered the awards and we never expected this. If you look at the strength of the competition it is just fantastic."