JEREMY Hyams, of repair service Property Consortium UK, won the Albert Goodman Entrepreneur of the Year title at the Somerset Business Awards.

He was praised for building the company from nothing to a £12million turnover firm employing nearly 80 people.

Mr Hyams said: “This is a great honour. Everyone has put a lot of hard work into the business – it’s not just me, it’s the staff and everyone around me who have elevated me to where I am – this is a testament to them really.”

Around 300 people attended Friday’s gala dinner and presentation evening at the County Ground, Taunton, which scooped the Marketing and Promotion award for Somerset County Cricket Club’s success in attracting spectators and to Twenty20 games.

David Griffin, managing partner of Albert Goodman, the main event sponsor, said: “The Somerset Business Awards have become the most recognisable and important endorsement of corporate and individual achievement in Somerset.

“Through our involvement as main sponsor of this year’s awards, it is uplifting to view first-hand the strength of businesses and individual talent within our county, particularly at a time when we are experiencing the worst economic conditions for several decades.”

The full list of winners was.

New Business of the Year Award, The Orchard Pig; New to Somerset Award, The Rusty Axe; Charity of the Year Award, Yeovil and Sherborne Samaritans; Best Exporter Award, Avalon Sciences Ltd; Service Excellence Award, DUO; Marketing & Promotion Award, Somerset County Cricket Club; The Albert Goodman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Jeremy Hyams of Property Consortium UK; Waste Minimisation Award, Framptons Ltd; Carbon Reduction Award, Gerber Juice Company Ltd; Self Employed Sole Trader Award, Abel Willow; e-Business Award, CommCam; Business of the Year (0-5 employees), Kiddimoto; Business of the Year (5-50 employees), Myakka; CS Williams Building Contractors Ltd, Hippychick, Highly Commended Award for Studio CCK Ltd; Business of the Year (50+ employees), Property Consortium UK; Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Turnkey IT Solutions.