SOME of the region's leading figures gathered last night to pay tribute to the achievements of businesswomen in the North-East.

Hundreds turned out for the annual Women in Business Awards, held at the Thistle Hotel, in Middlesbrough.

Julie Wilson, of Northumbrian Water, was the outright winner of the evening, collecting the overall Woman of Achievement title as well as being voted Incredible Colleague of the Year.

Julie was hailed for being an exemplary role model to whom others aspire.

The Northern Echo-sponsored Best Community-Based Business Award went to Venita Pattinson, of Applejack Home Care Ltd.

Other category winners were:

* Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Emma Pinder and Stacey Nottingham, of Bombshell Design;

* Creative Product/Service: Judith Healey, of Talk Marketing Limited;

* Against Adversity: Jeanette Watson, of Starkids 2000;

* Manager of the Year: Barbara Madigan, of Abacus Care;

* Training and Development Award: Pauline Yarker, of South Tees NHS Trust;

* Juggler of the Year: Denise Skinner;

* Networker of the Year: Gillian Baker, of TSM Audio.

The importance of the occasion was summed up by event organiser Hilary Dunne, of Enterprise Event Management.

She said: "The calibre of nominations has yet again surpassed all expectations. The judges had a very tough task in picking just one winner per category.

"To be recognised by one's peers is itself a great achievement, and demonstrates the growing number of women who are having a major impact in their workplace - every woman nominated is a worthy winner. It was an honour to be in such distinguished company."

* A full report and pictures will be published in Tuesday's Business Echo supplement.