IT is the night that the North East business community is officially allowed to let its hair down - and they certainly didn't disappoint this year.

Some of the region’s senior business leaders gathered at The Journal Tyne Theatre on Friday night for the Alternative Business Awards where gongs were handed out for all sorts of achievements – from being the best dressed executive to having a seat on more boards than anyone else.

Among the many winners recognised were former Apprentice star Helen Milligan, of Greggs; the CBI’s regional director Sarah Green; Dickinson Dees lawyer Neil Warwick; and two of the region’s vice-chancellors – Peter Fidler and Graham Henderson.

As well as hailing this year’s big achievers, the audience was also treated to a string of stand-up comedy performances from the likes of One North East chairman Paul Callaghan and Newcastle city centre chaplain the Reverend Glyn Evans.

Most importantly, however, thousands of pounds were raised for the Percy Hedley Foundation and its work with children and adults with cerebral palsy.