New entrepreneurs in Darlington received recognition at the New Business dinner and awards ceremony at the Croft Spa Hotel.

Hosted by Darlington Business Venture in conjunction with Darlington Borough Council through its New Enterprise Initiative and supported by the major High Street banks, it was hailed a great success with more than 200 people attending.

Top prize, the Business Achievement Award, was won by David Lussey of Peratech, who have a patented electrical material which can replace the normal switches and controls used in electronic devices.

Other awards included:

New Business of the Year 2000, sponsored by Business Link Tees Valley, went to Mark Aked of Ortia Ltd, telecoms software creators. Runner-up was Debbie Purdy of Adrenalin-Moto - motor cycle specialists.

The Prime Entrepreneur of the Year (50+) was won by Godfrey Peel of GJP Construction Services.

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year went to Michael Sisterson of Michaels retail bakers.

The Employer of the Year was named as Gill Goody of Amity Mortgages.