FLOWER producer Delamore Young Plants was the big winner at the third Fenland Enterprise Business Awards - taking the title of Business of the Year.

The company, based at Wisbech St Mary, also won the Medium Business of the Year award for its high standards and offering long-term stable employment to more than 100 staff.

Judges described Delamore as “a very impressive company making significant contributions to the Fenland economy and employment. A worthy winner of the Business of the Year award”.

More than 200 people including finalists, sponsors, judges, council dignitaries and NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay gathered to celebrate Fenland’s finest businesses and entrepreneurs at the Braza in March.

Guests were told that Delamore, formed almost 50 years ago, has been “very successfully brought into the 21st century by its current owners”.

Judges said: “Delamore has successfully adapted to changing markets by diversifying and provides more than 100 employees with long-term stable employment as well as providing casual/seasonal employment for many more.

“Setting standards that others in its industry follow, Delamore is a worthy winner.”

The special Judges Award went to Fenpack, of Chatteris, which launched in November last year and has already established itself within the Fast Moving Consumer Goods market. Fenpack also won Small Business of the Year.

The first winner of the Young Apprentice of the Year was Anthony Palmer of Metalcraft in Chatteris. The award was created in memory of a former Metalcraft apprentice, Craig Bird, who died in a car crash last year.

Other winners included Fenmarc Produce (Employer of the Year), Greenvale AP (Green Award), Andrew Sparrow of Fenland Leisure Products (Business Person of the Year), Nickie Bantoft of Bantoft & Co accountants (Women in Business), Buttercross Auctions (New Business of the Year), Acorn Lodge Kennels (Customer Service Award) and Savvy Cinderella (Retailer of the Year).

Whittlesey won the Pride of Fenland Award in a public vote after readers decided it was the town which showed the greatest entrepreneurial spirit in the last 12 months.

The awards, hosted by Jason Wing, new principal of Neale-Wade Community College in March, are run by the Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard in conjunction with Fenland District Council.