At the final of the 2015 Monmouthshire Business Awards local businesses were celebrated for their outstanding contribution to the economy.

Among the main award winners was the Abergavenny-based Green Waste Company, which was recognised as Best Green Business.

Almost 400 guests attended Friday’s black tie event at the Celtic Manor Resort, which played host to the largest Gala Dinner in the awards’ history.

Budding tycoons from local schools also attended the ceremony as part of a pioneering initiative by title sponsors Monmouthshire Business Awards to support grass roots entrepreneurism.

A total of 23 companies, ranging from start-ups and sole traders to major organisations, were shortlisted for honours in what host Hwyel James, the former ITV Wales presenter, described as the ‘most fiercely contested’ MBAs yet.

But just nine businesses walked away with an award for demonstrating ‘innovation, talent and enterprise’ in the wider local community.

The eleven category winners included Chepstow store Write From The Heart, which scooped both Most Promising Start Up and Young Entrepreneur; Green and Jenks ice cream parlour in Monmouth which collected Excellence in Retail and local veterinary practice Gardner Llewelyn Group which won Responsible Business.

Excellence in Marketing went to That Media Group, Excellence in Technology Innovation to Spectrum Internet, and Hospitality, and Travel and Tourism was awarded to Monmouthshire Cottages.

Monmouth’s Total Metal Products won Company Demonstrating Sustained Growth while the Company of the Year title went to Chepstow-based firm Reid Lifting, which also won the prestigious Judge’s Choice Award.

Now into their fourth year, the Awards - dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the Welsh business industry – attracted some 371 guests including Edwina Hart, Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Monmouth MP David Davies, Nick Ramsay AM, High Sheriff of Gwent Andrew Tuggey, Bob Greenland, Deputy Leader at Monmouthshire County Council, Paul Matthews, Chief Executive of Monmouthshire County Council, Peter Fox, Leader at Monmouthshire County Council, and former Celtic Manor Resort CEO Dylan Matthews.

• Andrew Lewis of Green Waste Company with John Keegan of category sponsor, Monmouthshire Housing Association.