THE Daily Echo-backed Hampshire business Awards continue to go from strength to strength.

The black-tie event, now in its 14th year and widely regarded as the crme de la crme of business awards in the county, attracted a crowd of 180 people.

They are key players in local companies and organisations that employ tens of thousands of people between them in the south

The awards were held in the atmospheric setting of the Challenge Business marquee at Ocean Village, Southampton.

A number of guests first took a rare opportunity to look around two 72ft yachts that will take part in Global Challenge, the world's toughest yacht race, which is organised by Challenge Business.

They are among 12 identical yachts that set sail from Portsmouth on October 3 to race around the world against prevailing winds and currents.

The fleet will be due back home next July after 29,000 miles of racing in winds of more than 70mph and waves of 50ft.

Back on shore, guests tucked into smoked salmon and roast lamb before the awards ceremony swung into action.

As reported by Business South last Friday, the three winners were Point Source, Red Funnel and BAA Southampton Airport.

Point Source, a 66-strong fibre-optic and laser delivery systems company at Hamble, won the Royal Bank of Scotland International Trade Award for making inroads into North America and Japan.

Red Funnel, which operates ferries between Southampton and the Isle of Wight and employs 550 people, won the Bond Pearce Award for Innovation for increasing the size of its vessels.

BAA Southampton Airport, with 180 staff, was named KPMG Company of the Year for giving customers exactly what they wanted.

All three organisations spoke of their delight at winning.

The judges were Mark Price from the RBS, Nick Page from commercial legal firm Bond Pearce and Tony Cottam from Big Four accountant KPMG.

Guest speaker was sailing legend Sir Chay Blyth, who entertained everyone with his hair-raising tales of derring-do on the high seas.

Tony, senior partner at KPMG's south coast office at Southampton, said: "The awards showed once more the strength and diversity of the Hampshire business community and it was great to see so many bright stars from the region celebrating their success and enjoying the event.

"Congratulations to all our winners and finalists who are setting great example for other businesses to aspire to. Their achievements and plans bode well for the year ahead."

More pictures of this event are in the Daily Echo's Hampshire Business magazine, available free from September 30 by e-mailing peter.bullwinkle@soton-echo.co.uk