A non-profit company has been honoured for all it gives to the community at this year’s Bolton News Business Awards.

The Social Enterprise Award was given to Box Power CIC at a ceremony held last week at the Bolton Whites Hotel.

Speaking after he stepped up to the stage to collect the award, CEO Corin Dalby said he hoped this would help inspire the group to go on to even greater things.

He said: "It just inspires us to try to do more really, it gives us that encouragement to try and do the right things.”

Box Power works as a not-for-profit energy consultancy firm, the first of its kind in the UK, and is based at Moorland House, Bolton.

The group was recognised alongside a range of businesses from all across the borough at least week’s ceremony, opened by Bolton News regional editor Richard Duggan and hosted by comedian and writer Shazia Mirza.

In a keynote address, council leader Nick Peel said he hoped that the awards night demonstrated what the borough’s businesses were capable of.

Cllr Peel said: “That’s where our Business Bolton team comes in.

“The council’s business support service is always on hand to offer advice on developing your business plan, financing business growth, and new ways to take a product or service to market.

“Tonight, Bolton Council is proud to sponsor the Innovation Award. This is a fitting category for us, because innovation is at the heart of everything we do.

“Whether that’s in our approach to partnerships, to securing government funding or in reimagining our town centres to meet the changing demands of today’s customers.

“But we are also keen to create spaces for businesses of all sizes to innovate.

He added: “As I speak, work is also underway to convert the Wellspring building into a £11m Business and Innovation Hub creating a dynamic workspace environment for digital and creative technology businesses and start-ups to come together and thrive.

“The renovated Bolton Market will also provide an ideal space for small businesses of all kinds to start out.”