FOUR Darlington companies have scooped major prizes in this year's Tees Valley business awards.

Conservatory manufacturer Amdega walked away with two awards, including the biggest prize of all - Tees Valley company of the year.

The company, on the Faverdale industrial estate, also clinched the export award for the second year running.

Mr Colin Taylor, Amdega's managing director, said: "After last year's success we really didn't expect to win a second export award, but to be named the company of the year is a fabulous achievement for all our staff.

"Without the hard work of a dedicated team, Amdega wouldn't be the success it is today. This award belongs to the workforce.

"Winning a Tees Valley award means more to this company than any national or international recognition."

Although Amdega has been building conservatories for more than 125 years, it has existed in its present form only since a management buy-out three years ago.

Mr Taylor said: "We were part of a big plc and that didn't really suit us. As finance director I led a management buy-out team that has gone from success to success."

The firm employs about 300 people with 150 other staff at sites around the country. For the past year it has been taking on one or two people a week and that is expected to continue.

Other Darlington winners include solicitors Blackett Hart and Pratt and joinery firm Magnet, the scene of bitter long-running strikes in the 90s.

Winner of the retail award is The House, High Street, Yarm. The lifestyle store offering designer menswear, womenswear and homeware alongside a stylish caf, is part of the Yarm-based Steel River group of companies.

The House received national recognition last year as winner of the best department store 2000 in the Menswear/FHM awards.

Steel River chief executive Mr David Brown, said: "This represents a huge achievement in an incredibly tough category. It is a fantastic award for my team at The House and is tribute to the level of service they provide."

The winners were: Tees Valley company of the year, sponsored by KPMG: Amdega, Darlington; export award, sponsored by Kvaerner: Amdega; internet award, sponsored by BT: Blackett Hart and Pratt solicitors, Darlington; training and education award, sponsored by Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council: Magnet, Darlington.

Best new product/service, sponsored by Business Link Tees Valley: Middleton Hall, Middleton St George; small business award, sponsored by HSBC: Brulines, Stockton; business in the community, sponsored by TFM and Magic 1170: TTE; retail award, sponsored by Northern Electric and Gas: The House, Yarm; services award, sponsored by Jacksons solicitors: Industrial Technology Systems, Middlesbrough.

Technology award, sponsored by ntl: Teesside university virtual reality centre; Tees Valley Vison award, sponsored by Tees Valley Tomorrow: John Bennett, chief executive of Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council