TWO Bolton firms and a theatre were today celebrating after picking up accolades at a prestigious IT awards ceremony.

Lostock-based Dabs.com scooped first prize in the E-trading category at the North-west E-commerce Awards in Haydock yesterday. There was also a commendation for on-line education firm 10ticks.co.uk in the same category, while the Octagon Theatre won praise in the Voluntary and Community category.

The organsations were short-listed from nearly 600 across the North-west after being nominated by Business Link North Manchester.

Others represented at the awards include Bolton-based The Tan Factory, FFHS (Publications) Ltd, and Speakeasy, both from Bury. Dabs.com, who won £2,000 along with the award, will now compete with firms across the country for a national E-commerce prize in October and the title of E-commerce Awards Champion 2003 if they are successful.

After the ceremony, a representative, heaped praise on Dabs.com bosses.

"The judges felt that Dabs.com was a true exemple of an e-business with global expansion capacity. The company has been a continual adopter of new technology and visionary in its approach to on-line activity," he said.

"The judges thought that 10ticks.com had identified and professionally exploited a niche market, and was visionary in the use of technology -- but balanced with necessary pragmatism.

"The judges were impressed by the business focus of The Octagon Theatre site, allied to their pragmatic approach to the use of technology to achieve their objectives."