OVER 100 business enthusiasts gathered to celebrate their achievements at this year's Test Valley Business Awards.

Approximately 150 business representatives flocked to the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, to see the winners announced at the 15th anniversary celebration.

Eighteen companies contested for the top honours across six categories in this year’s awards and guests had the chance to hear the evening’s guest speaker Chris Brown - an animal wrangler and consultant for TV and film.

The Businesswoman of the Year Award, sponsored by Aster Group UK, was scooped by sales and marketing director at Danebury Vineyards, Caroline Stevens. The business is based in Stockbridge.

The 59-year-old said: "I was very surprised and very grateful won the award and it was an honour to be selected as a finalist amongst such an amazing field of candidates.

"I was nominated anonymously and I was so nervous about the evening; the reason I stood out was because of my work with the young women taking their masters in marketing at Solent University.

"I give the students a marketing project for Danebury and I have done this for four years."

She added: "It was mentioned at the event that women from Romsey should be encouraged to apply for next year as well."

The Innovation & Technology Award, sponsored by The University of Southampton Science Park, was also won by Critical Software who are based in Chilworth.

Divisional director for Critical Software, Matt Brake, said: "It was a great evening and we were very happy to win the award.

"I think we won because it's really complicated to get hold of smart meter data so we have created a service that makes it easy and it helps companies of any size.

"We also won Employer of the Year in 2014."

CircuitWorx was crowned the winner of the Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Parker Bullen LLP, while the Employer of the Year Award, sponsored by Simplyhealth, was scooped by Aster Group UK.

The New Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Test Valley Borough Council, was jointly awarded to Multax Ltd and Ava May Aromas.

Coyote Fitness UK was recognised for their work by taking home the Marketing Excellence Award. It was sponsored by Webkick Ltd.

The event also managed to raise £,1170 for Romsey Cancer Support Centre, Jane Scarth House.

The Test Valley Business Awards is run by a steering group of volunteers and is a way of highlighting new and small businesses in the region.

The event took place on September 12