Grocontinental take honours at Shropshire Business Awards

It became the only company ever to take home the top prize, the Company of the Year Award, for the second time, at the Shropshire Business Awards.

Based on a 30-acre site in Whitchurch, Grocontinental is one of the UK's leading international storage and distribution companies, employing 300 people.

Almost 700 people from firms across the county attended the evening, where special guest, Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson, gave a 20 minute speech on her career.

Eleven awards were handed out across the course of a glittering, glamorous night at Telford's International Centre.

Shrewsbury's Marvellous Group was the other big winner. Iit picked up the International Trade Award, and Katie Smith, who launched Tastes Marvellous as part of the group, won the Young Entrepreneur Category.

There was also an award for last night's hosts. The International Centre in Telford picked up the prize for Travel, Tourism and Hospitality.

The anticipation proved almost too much for some, as the stage was prematurely scattered with celebratory glitter while the candidates for the final award were still being read out.

The ceremony was the 13th in the history of the awards, which were launched in 2001.

Richard Sheehan, of the Shropshire Chamber, praised the "extraordinary enthusiasm and innovation" on display at the awards.