Once again, it was a night to celebrate the brightest and the best in the business community, with a setting and an awards ceremony to match.

Almost 600 members of Bolton and Bury's business community gathered to honour the top companies, young entrepreneurs and innovative firms in the Bolton and Bury Business Awards 2007, sponsored by Business Bolton.

It was the second year of the awards, and the glittering black tie event is now firmly established as one of the most prestigious dates in the local business calendar.

The evening at the Premier Suite in the De Vere Whites hotel at the Reebok Stadium started with a champagne reception sponsored by the hotel.

Steve Hughes, Editor of The Bolton News, welcomed the guests saying: "Bolton and Bury are both prospering from the economic growth of Greater Manchester, and the region's growing importance as a business centre.

"The business men and women who have entered these awards typify that mood of confidence in our region. Without their belief and vision, our towns would not be prospering in the way that they are."

On behalf of Business Bolton, the main sponsor of the evening, Councillor Akhtar Zaman, Bolton Council's executive member for regeneration, said: "This is a celebration of the businesses that make our local economy what it is.

"These are exciting times for both Bolton and Bury, and an evening like this is a fitting tribute to all those with the vision and the energy to make things happen."

After dinner, guests were treated to an hilarious address from comedian and Phoenix Nights star Ted Robbins.

Bury-born BBC Radio Five Live presenter Victoria Derbyshire hosted the awards ceremony, announcing the categories and the winners, as well as welcoming the award sponsors on stage to present the winners with their trophies.

There were cheers of delight as winners were announced, and the evening was rounded off with guests enjoying a disco into the small hours.

The Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Barbara Ronson, said: "We are very proud of all that is going on in Bolton. Regeneration and development is the name of the game.

"These businesses are the people who are really contributing and putting in their share to make sure that Bolton is a town that is on the up."