Cumbrian businesses have tasted success at the annual E3 Business Awards.

Three prizes were won by Lake District-based businesses at last night's ceremony at the Macron Stadium in Bolton.

The ceremony is part of a larger programme of events that seek to help the region's businesses to build links and strengthen the north west economy.

Web marketing agency Net* in Kendal took the corporate social responsibility award and the Nanny Brow Guesthouse in Ambleside won the Family Business of the Year award.

The final award of the evening was the special achievement award, which went to Joanne Hunter of Grasmere Gingerbread.

The winners of a total of 17 categories were announced in front of an audience of over 500 business delegates from across the region.

All the finalists had been judged by an independent panel of twenty-three business managers, entrepreneurs and support professionals.

In a two-stage process, the panel evaluated the initial written submissions and then held interviews with each of the shortlisted candidates.

Organiser 1 Events Media's managing director Mubarak Chati thanked the judges and paid tribute to the "invaluable contribution that businesses, charities and entrepreneurs make to our region's communities."

He said: "Not only do they help to drive economic growth, they deliver important social benefits too.

"They create jobs, they provide training and, they support local supply chains.

"Of course, businesses also build connections between people. And now, more than ever, building bridges really matters.

"That's one of the many reasons I'm so pleased to see these Awards reaching further and further afield every year; to see people from so many different communities coming together in a spirit of celebration.

"Because the E3 Business Awards are here to celebrate the passion and creativity of north west businesses; they celebrate the vision of entrepreneurs; the dedication of employees; the conviction and compassion of social enterprises.

"They're a celebration because every finalist has accomplished something special."

Next year's E3 Business Awards will take place on July 12, 2018 at the same venue.