CATALYSTS business Synetix toasted double success at the Tees Valley Business Awards.

The Billingham firm, which employs 800 staff, not only won Exporter of the Year, but was also named the area's Company of the Year.

Synetix's big night was at the Tall Trees Hotel, in Yarm, an event attended by about 700 business leaders from all over the area.

The Tees Valley's other big winner was Bell's Stores, which took the Retail award, Learning and Skills award and the Technology award.

Synetix, recently put up for sale by its parent company, ICI, specialises in catalysis, the process that speeds up chemical reactions.

Bob Coxon, chief executive of Synetix, was delighted with the company's success.

He said: "What a night! As a world-leading science company, working in the field of catalysis, it's great to be regarded as a model for our region. It's a fitting reward too for our employees, who as a dedicated team, continue to build on our global brand and customer base."

While Synetix and Bell's Stores toasted success, there was disappointment for two Darlington businesses.

Darlington Building Society failed to win the Business in the Community award. It went to Garlands Call Centres, based in Hartlepool.

Touch sensitive plastics business Peratech missed out on the Best New Product award. That one was presented to Harkers Engineering, in Stockton.

Other winners: Newman Scott (Small Business); Adventure Toys (Internet); Laidler Associates (Services). Winners of Tees Valley, Durham and Wearside, and Tyneside and Northumberland events will go forward to the final to be held at Auckland Castle, in April.