Rebecca Allen, assistant manager at Bridges of St Ives, the employee of the year, said: I m thrilled to bits. I never expected to win first place. But when I heard my name called out I felt so pleased and honoured to be honest. I am still only 22 so to w

Rebecca Allen, assistant manager at Bridges of St Ives, the employee of the year, said: "I'm thrilled to bits. I never expected to win first place. But when I heard my name called out I felt so pleased and honoured to be honest. I am still only 22 so to win is fantastic. I'm speechless - and I talk a lot.

"I have worked at Bridges for three years in April next year, since it opened. I love meeting new people and I like a challenge. I have watched the business grow and have loved playing a part in that. Tomorrow morning my award is going in the window of the restaurant for everyone to see. It is such an amazing achievement."

Achievement in Business Award winners James Boatwright, 25, and his business partner Mike Egan, 26, from Bigprinting.co.uk, have known each other since attending Somersham Primary School and both worked in IT and printing separately before launching the company in 2003. They were delighted to win the award.

James Boatwright said: "We are a national company but feel very proud of what we have achieved locally. We never expected to win and it's just amazing. Winning this award really helps us. It gives us recognition."

Mike Egan said: "We literally started this business with nothing and took a risk. It was now or never for us. We started very small with a couple of computers working in St Ives then added James's garage before moving to our Huntingdon premises. Our award will get pride of place in our office. We will definitely be back next year - we are hungry for more."

Innovation award winner Cellbond Composites Ltd had won Manufacturer of the Year in 2004. Mike Ashmead, managing director, said: "I am very pleased with this award. It recognizes that we are on the right track and that is fantastic. And that is the foundation for me.

"Taking part in these awards tests our business function by function. We want to be employer of the year, and work though all the other categories, to continue to make our business sustainable. This is a tough world and you have to be smart and ahead of the game. Winning this means people can see all of the hard work that everyone put in - it's recognition for everyone in this business.

"I hope we are here again next year, not in the same category, but, hopefully, employer of the year. That would be good. It would show what we do for people because they make all these things possible.