Transport company Mitchell Trucking Company, of Middlesbrough, was the toast of the North East Chamber of Commerce Awards, taking the of Business of the Year title.

The company started in 2003 with two trucks, one van and four staff and now has 21 employees working in in-house transport, logistics, overnight pallet distribution and a warehousing.

Founder Gordon Mitchell said: "This award is down to the team around me and the team I have is excellent."

The judges paid tribute to Mr Mitchell's understanding of his business and the marketplace and said the company had "really focused on what it wants to achieve and had good long term expansion plans".

The third Chamber Awards, held at Redworth Hall Hotel in County Durham before an audience of 120 guests, were open to all Chamber members from sole traders to multi-nationals.

The six category winners will represent the region in the national finals in London in November to compete for the Microsoft Award for Outstanding Business Achievement and a top prize of £25,000.

James Ramsbotham, Chamber chief executive of the North, said: "The range of entries this year was genuinely very high."

Powder & Liquid Products. of Consett, took the Skills and Workforce Development award; The Write Research Company, of Annitsford, Cramlington - Entrepreneur of the Year; Gate 7, of Gateshead - Export Business of the Year; Opsec Security, of Washington - The Microsoft Award for Innovation through Technology Award; Comesys Europe, of Cramlington, - Most Promising New Business.