Some of the leading businesses from Blackburn and Darwen were honoured at the 10th Hive Awards.

Elektec won both the Commitment to Blackburn with Darwen and the Family Business of the Year awards.

Coowner, Charlotte Knowles, said "we are so grateful and overwhelmed to receive these awards. Thank you to the judges, our staff, clients and the local community for their ongoing support.  It is absolutely phenomenal and we will continue giving back to the Borough."

The judges said they "were impressed with the commitment that Elektec and their team have shown, not only to their staff, but to the entire community of Blackburn with Darwen. With an ethos of honesty and integrity and a 100% desire to help, the company is passionate about continually innovating to create more opportunities to  support those in need to protect the future of our borough whilst also building a faultless business model and proposition which has seen phenomenal growth year on year."

"Not just a stand-out family run business, including the lovable Elek-tots, the family values and desire to help others is part of their DNA.  At the helm, this husband-and-wife team have created an award-winning business that has surpassed expectations and ensured the business growth has not compromised on the service that they offer."

Ian Brown, chair of the Hive Ambassadors Network, the business group for Blackburn with Darwen, commended the local business community for their efforts in helping to revitalise their towns.

Ian said: “It was an incredible night, with some fantastic organisations in the running for an award."

"The atmosphere and support for each other in the room was phenomenal; and I know I speak on behalf of the judges when I say that the high standard of business and passion shown by all the finalists had never been greater"

“It was our 10th anniversary year and the awards event just seems to get better and better"

"Everyone who was both a finalist and a winner should be rightly proud of the what they’ve achieved for both their company but also the positive impact they’d had on the Blackburn with Darwen area.”

“The winners really showcase the best of Blackburn with Darwen and how organisations can prosper but also use that success to benefit the region, which is what both the awards and our ethos as the Hive Business Network is all about."