RYEDALE companies scored some big accolades in the recent Business Awards run by the Gazette & Herald’s sister paper The Press.

Ellis Patents, in Rillington, was the big winner, clinching the Business Innovation of the Year award, as well as being named Business of the Year.

The cable cleat manufacturer won the innovation award for its No Bolts cleat, designed to alleviate an issue that was causing Network Rail severe health and safety concerns.

Richard Shaw, managing director of Ellis, said: “We are delighted to be recognised both for the many and varied strengths of the business, and for an innovation that we as a company are exceedingly proud of – and one that demonstrates just why we are fast becoming seen as our industry’s innovators.”

Malton brewery Brass Castle was another local winner, being given the Socially Responsible Business of the Year gong.

A brewery spokesman said: “It’s fantastic to be acknowledged that we are doing it in such a great community, we feel honoured to be giving something back to them.”

Charles “Charlie” Corner of Malton Laser, who won the Business Personality of the Year Award, said: “I’m full of enthusiasm and ambition, and I can’t stop myself. I have had failures, and that is a bigger test of you than any success.”

And finally, in the Retail, Tourism and Leisure Business of the Year category, Helmsley-based Scotts Fish & Chips took the top prize.

Director Tony Webster said: “My team made this happen, not me, these guys. We weren’t expecting this, not at all.”