THE Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter was one of eight local businesses recognised for business excellence at an awards ceremony at the Abbey Hotel last night (Thursday).

Editor Nick Howells accepted the Malvern Hills District Council Platinum Award for service business excellence after judges recognised the hard work put in to improve the paper and increase circulation since he took over as editor a year ago.

In announcing the award, compere Mike George, of BBC Hereford & Worcester, said: "In 2001, the winner of the service category won the Newsquest award for the biggest circulation increase among weekly newspapers.

"They have also played a large part in assisting those affected by the foot and mouth disease by backing the Stress in the Countryside appeal and have launched a monthly farming page to help keep one of this area's most important industries in the public eye."

Other Malvern winners included Malvern Theatres Trust, which won the arts award for providing the best regional theatre outside London and Broadway.

Robin Elt Shoes, of Church Street, won the retail award. The judges praised the business, which has been operating in Malvern for 54 years, for supporting other local businesses and financially assisting the English String Orchestra and Malvern Theatres.

Software innovators, Domain Solutions, based in Graham Road, were rewarded as leaders in the technology category. Founded in 2000, Domain last year won Government funding to develop a new software language and have established links with University College Worcester.

Enigma Park's Neale Plastics won the manufacturing award in recognition of its diversification away from traditional rotational moulding into the design and manufacture of new products.

From Upton-upon-Severn, fledgling childcare providers, Little Blossoms Nursery, won the award for new business start-up.

Set up in an old pig pen to prevent dependency on the family fruit picking business, Little Blossoms has filled a gap in the market for childcare around Upton and already employs 15 people to look after between 22 and 28 babies and pre-school children every day.

Earls Croome bereavement counsellors, Noah's Ark Trust, were awarded the Chairman's Special Award.

Since its inception four years ago, the trust has grown to include three employees and 50 highly trained volunteers to provide bereavement support for children and young people.

The overall winner and the winner of the award for tourism excellence was the Fountain Inn, Tenbury Wells, which has won a number of awards in the last two years.

Roll of honour

Platinum Awards overall winner: Fountain Inn, Tenbury Wells.

Award for manufacturing excellence: Neale Plastics, Malvern.

Award for retail excellence: Robin Elt Shoes, Malvern; Highly commended: RA Phipps, Hanley Swan and Express TV, Malvern Link.

Award for arts excellence: Malvern Theatres Trust; Highly commended: Hibernian Violins, Malvern.

Award for tourism excellence: The Fountain Inn, Tenbury Wells; Highly commended: The Cottage in the Wood Hotel, Malvern Wells.

Award for start-up excellence: Little Blossoms Nursery, Upton; Highly commended: Nelson Training Ltd, Welland and Travelling with Children Ltd, Upton.

Award for service excellence: The Malvern Gazette and Ledbury Reporter; Highly commended: Midland Communications, Upton.

Award for technology excellence: Domain Solutions, Malvern; Highly commended: Stratascan, Upton.

Chairman's special award: Noah's Art Trust, Earls Croome.