SMALL companies have been awarded cash prizes to help them expand their business.

Winners of the annual Business Boost competition were announced at a ceremony at Newcastle College.

The competition, open to any Newcastle firm with fewer than 250 employees, was funded by organisations including Newcastle Borough Council, Aspire Housing and Keele University Science and Business Park.

Specialist recruitment company Appointments Personnel won the impact on the borough category, while Wolstanton-based AMB Insurance Services triumphed in the progression through people category.

First prize in the entrepreneurial spirit category went to web development and IT support firm Systatic.

All three companies were presented with £1,500.

The discretionary judges' prize of £1,000 for 'an innovative business that fires the imagination' went to Keele-based Eduscope Consultancy, which aims to help parents support their children's education.

Optimise Automotive scooped the Realise Foundation Apprenticeship Award, worth £5,500, which funds the cost of an apprentice for one year.

Other award winners were Brampton Recruitment, DK Design, The Gold Disc.com, Partners in Creative Learning and Vekta Composites.

Guest speaker at the event was Colin Bell, of Stafford international business consultancy Winning Moves, and the prizes were presented by Newcastle mayor, Councillor Trevor Hambleton.

Awards chairman Bernard Lovatt said: "The Business Boost competition helps and rewards businesses that are innovative and have ambition to grow and so increase the economic and social well-being of the borough.

"Since their inception in 2007, the awards have helped more than 40 local companies drive their business forward and most continue to be successful."

For more information visit www.businessboostawards .org.uk.