GLITZ and glamour, sequins and sparkles adorned the guests who took over Southampton's De Vere Grand Harbour hotel this week as the Daily Echo held its second annual Night and Day awards ceremony.

Ladies came in their finest and men sported black tie to make the event celebrating Hampshire's retail and leisure industry a night to remember.

More than 150 people from companies across the region who advertised in the special supplement were wined and dined and danced into the early hours at the gala dinner.

The first awards held last year were such a success that the Echo decided to stage them again this year.

Thousands of Echo readers wrote in to vote for everything from their favourite sport and leisure facility to the best retail outlet featured in the supplement.

One of the presenters for the evening, Daily Echo display sales manager Gregg Ramirez, said: "The evening is about celebrating advertising excellence.

"All of the winners are voted for by the readers for their design and content and whether people have visited and liked the place because of their advert."

After enjoying a superb three-course meal the lights went down, the drums rolled and Gregg and co-host advertisement manager Sue Meheux took to the stage to reveal who the lucky winners were.

Six categories covered everything from corporate entertainment, retail outlet, pub, evening and daytime attraction, restaurant and sports and leisure facility.

Representatives of the winning companies were presented with their trophies, certificates and £1,000 worth of advertising in the Echo by general manager Michael Wright.

"Tonight is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of different types of establishments in the entertainment area," said Mr Wright.

"The city of Southampton is obviously poised for a terrific growth. "There is a huge student population and, with the opening of West Quay shopping centre due next year, all the signs are very good for the growth and expansion of the city and it is restaurant and entertainment revenue which will be vital to that growth.

"This is an opportunity for the Daily Echo to recognise that. For people to get the recognition they deserve and have a good time with their colleagues."

A special award was presented to POSH Windows and Conservatories, in Hedge End for their innovative approach to advertising.

They were selected from all entrants by staff at the Daily Echo as having shown the most innovation in their wide range of advertising and how they incorporate it into their overall marketing strategy.

Guests of honour for the evening were Echo readers Barry and Marcel Thorn, of North End Close, Chandler's Ford, who were picked from hundreds of entries to win a seven-night trip for two to Spain courtesy of P&O Ports-mouth and Bridge Travel Service.

Mr Thorn, an engineer at Eastleigh-based company Alstom, said: "It was a lovely surprise. We did think we would win. We enter most competitions and it was mervellous news to find out we're going to Spain.

"It was our 30th wedding anniversary earlier this month and this will be a nice way to celebrate.'' Outfits for the Echo's advertisement staff were supplied by Ritz Dress Hire and Rentasuit.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.