The second annual Clacks Business Awards take place at Alloa Town Hall tomorrow (Thursday).

And taking the helm as host is freelance broadcast journalist Alison Walker.

An experienced reporter and presenter, she spent nearly 20 years working for the BBC before branching out and starting her own media company around five years ago.

Now, with a bit more flexibility in her schedule, Alison also acts as an after dinner speaker, voiceover specialist, offers media training and host events – something she enjoys doing.

She believes it’s incredibly important to recognise people in the local community for the contributions they make – at every level – and reckons sometimes they don’t know how special they are.

There’s also a real sense of job satisfaction for Alison when hosting such events.

She said: “It’s all the small things. They just make you smile because it’s all good news, there’s never any bad news. Genuinely, even the nominated are happy.

“It’s the feel good factor and there’s a warmth about doing community awards as well, because a lot of people know each other and can catch up and there’s a real networking side to it as well.” Alison has travelled all over the world covering major sporting events.

She was the first woman to break into football – reporting on matches live – and spent eight years presenting sports news on Reporting Scotland.

And Alison has covered four Olympic Games and four Commonwealth Games.

Some of her main highlights have been taking on the role of main commentator at Hampden Park for the athletics during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and interviewing Usain Bolt, The Ryder Cup, London 2012 and Sochi 2014, while the Rio Olympics next year is also in her diary.

Tomorrow’s finalists are: Most Promising New Business - Party People Wedding & Party Hire, InnPac Limited and Inglewood House Ltd.

High Street Business of the Year - Smart Specs, Crown Inn and Cala Beauty.

Outstanding Performing Business Award - MRM, Kidz World Soft Play and Nursery and Prowd Enterprise Ltd.

Not for Profit Organisation of the Year - Alloa Round Table, The Gate Charity and Scottish Autism.

Food Drink and Hospitality Award - Wyvis Bed & Breakfast, Cafe des Fleurs and The Bridge Street Kitchen Green Business of the Year Award - SV24-7 Vending - (Stirlingshire Vending (Scotland) Ltd), RMD Power & Cooling UK Ltd and Ace Recycling.