WINGATES computer e-tailer dabs.com has been commended in the Best e-Business category of the national 2002 e-Commerce Awards.

The success at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London followed dabs's victory in the North-west heat.

The UK Online For Business e-Commerce Awards programme is backed by the Government and run by not-for-profit organisation Interforum. It is designed to recognise organisations which have demonstrated excellence through the use of the Internet.

Stephen Timms, the new Minister for E-Commerce, said: "My congratulations to dabs.com and all the other winners.

"These companies are breaking new ground in their fields and highlighting to their competitors just what can be achieved through information and communication technologies."

The North-west regional competition attracted 1,600 entries for four categories.

John Harris, UK online manager for Business Link Cheshire & Warrington, who was chairman of the North-west region awards presentation, said: "This great result shows that the North-west is taking a lead not only in business, but also in e-business across the UK."

Dabs.com won the e-Business category and was also short-listed in that for e-Trading.

Managing director David Atherton and communications manager Louise Derbyshire were presented with the award at a lunch in the Haydock Thistle hotel. Mr Atherton said: "Winning the e-business category is testament to the hard work of everyone in the dabs.com team. It really is an honour."

Other Bolton firms were shortlisted for the regional awards, but did not win: Fisher Educational Ltd from Heaton (Micro Business), Parcel2go.com from Coe Street (e-Business), R & J Howarth Ltd from Little Lever (e-Trading), and Ladybridge Sports and Leisure Ltd (Voluntary & Community).

Pictured, l to r, at the regional heats are:

EFFORT REWARDED: John Harris, left, with Louise Derbyshire and David Atherton of dabs.com at the regional heats, where they received a cheque for £2,000

.

"The standard of entries has been really impressive, demonstrating that companies are truly taking advantage of the opportunities made available by e-commerce and the Internet to grow their He went on: "The philosophy behind these awards is to recognise companies that leverage Internet technologies to attain demonstrable competitive advantage.

business.

"We have just filed our 2002 accounts which show an increase in operating profit of 237 per cent on last year -- a clear demonstration of how we have used technology to improve efficiency and help keep our cost base low.