IN a magical evening at the Forth Valley Business Awards, local businesses collected the top honours in several categories.

Optometrists RS Erskine and Co were first up as winners in the Best Family Business Category, presented by sponsors MacRoberts Partnership, with Oldbaum Services then picking up the winner’s trophy for Best Green Business.

Another Stirling business, Denvir Marketing were also winners, carrying off the Best Sales and Marketing Category and both of the Entrepreneurship awards also went to Stirling-based entrepreneurs – Ann-Maree Morrison of Labels4kids and Bruce Walker of We are the Future being the happy recipients.

Main sponsors the Ministry of Defence and SaBRE commented on the high standard of entries and on the success of the night, with keynote speaker Brigadier Paul Harkness saying, “It was a thoroughly enjoyable event which enabled me to get my message across about the benefits of employing reservists.” Over 350 guests were entertained by compere forensic mind reader Colin Cloud, who astounded the audience with his mind reading skills and kept the event buzzing. Laurence Barrett, CEO of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce said, “It was a wonderful evening and great to celebrate the success of so many local businesses. I’m not sure how we are going to top the event for the awards 2015, but we are already working on it. Watch this space.”