Keith Davies, Bolton Council’s director of development and regeneration, said: “We always regard it as something special to celebrate excellence in the business community.

“We know we have got a business community to be proud of in Bolton and it is great to showcase it in this way.

“Whether businesses were nominated or won award, it is all power to us in the town to showcase the quality of business we have.”

Guy Lacey, operations manager of awards sponsors Willmott Dixon, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the awards.

“It is great to encourage businesses in Bolton and Bury to strive for excellence, and it is also good to create interest in industry.”

Tim Vaughan, chief executive of the Moorgarth group which owns the Market Place, said: “It is a fantastic event to promote businesses in Bolton and Bury.

“I attended the awards last year, and it was a great event and the standard was high again. I go to a lot of events like this across the country, but Bolton is up there with the rest.

“The success of the Food and Drink festival it shows the town is going from strength to strength.”

Fraser Dainton, presenter of the awards, said: “It is fantastic that despite the recession and the problems with the economy, businesses in Bolton and Bury are still thriving.“To have so many people at the awards and to have so many things to celebrate is hopefully a positive sign for the future.”

Daniel Gilbert, operations director at awards sponsors Nationwide Franking Sense, said: “It means a lot to be supporting Bolton business as a Bolton firm ourselves at such a great event.

“We always try to support local companies with our purchasing strategy, and being part of these awards is an extension of that.”