The Forest of Dean's top firms were the toast of the district at The Forester's first ever business awards.

More than 180 guests packed into the Forest Hills Golf Club, near Coleford, for a glittering ceremony that put the Forest's business community firmly on the map.

The awards celebrated the very best of the district's innovative and dynamic businesses across 10 hotly-contested categories.

Young Business Person of the Year was won by Gareth Roberts, of GDR Solutions Newent. After starting the training company from scratch it has gone from strength to strength and Gareth has also established his own reputation as a highly sought after consultant trainer.

He said: "I didn't think I had a chance of winning and it was quite emotional. When you run your own business you are so caught up with it and there is no-one to tell you if you are doing a good job. To have the recognition from people from outside is fantastic."

Source: thisisgloucestershire.co.uk

More information available at: http://beta.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucestershireheadlines/champions/article-2112702-detail/article.html and http://www.southwestbusiness.co.uk/foresterbusinessawards