PICTURES: 8 winners at this year's Warrington Business Awards

Five hundred people attended the awards evening in a stunning marquee at Lymm Rugby Club last night, Friday.

Everton chief executive Robert Elstone, pictured below, was on hand to announce the winners in eight categories.

They were:

1 Apprentice of the year, sponsored by Bibby Financial:

Jack Peters, FDR Law

Jonathan Levy, The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace

WINNER: Lewis Haworth, Optionis Group

2 Retailer of the year, sponsored by Taylor Business Park:

Black Sheep Wools

WINNER: Dawsons Music

Sculpt Hair and Beauty

David Briggs, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, was at the ceremony to collect Dawsons' retailer of the year award

3 Innovation of the year, sponsored by Deepbridge Capital:

Calibre Control International

WINNER: Golden Gates Housing Trust & Footprint Solutions

Skillray Transport Services UK

4 Community initiative of the year, sponsored by Space 48:

St Rocco’s – Roc On! Project

WINNER: Warrington Youth Club – Citizen Programme

Wolves Foundation

Wolves coach Tony Smith, Ben Westwood and Neil Kelly from the Wolves Foundation

5 New business of the year, sponsored by Styles & Co:

Jem Recycling

WINNER: Qudos Marketing

Primas Law

6 Businessman of the year, sponsored by Watsons Solicitors:

Lee Birchall – DV8 Design

WINNER: Mark Poulton – Key Integrated Services

Nick Taylor – The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace

Businessman of the year Mark Poulton, pictured far left, from Key Integrated Services

7 Businesswoman of the year, sponsored by Adele Carr Financial Recruitment:

Jan Souness – Livewire Warrington Neighbourhood and Wellbeing Community Interest Company and Culture Warrington

Siobhan McCarroll – Dunky’s Day Nurseries

WINNER: Vicki Swinden – The Print Company

8 Business of the year, sponsored by FDR Law

Aspect Construction Contracts Britplas Commercial Windows

WINNER: Claremont

• For more from this year’s business awards pick up a copy of next week’s Warrington Guardian, out on Thursday

Here's some more pictures taken by our chief photographer Mike Boden:

Above, the team from St Rocco's Hospice including chief executive Pam Massey, third from left

John Davies, Louise Mcglone, Joanna and Liam Baker from Bibby Financial Services

Jan Souness, Livewire

Strictly St Rocco's contestants Warrington Guardian editor Hayley Smith with Wolves star Ben Westwood

The Calibre team

Jack Peters, FDR Law

Guests included Dave Thompson from Warrington Disability Partnership, and Clrs Kate and Mike Hannon

Lee Birchall, DV8 Design

Anna Chrystal, marketing manager at Golden Square, with husband Robert