Staff and managers at Blenheim Palace were celebrating last night after the historic site was voted the Oxfordshire Business of the Year.

The World Heritage Site scooped the top honour at the Oxfordshire Business Awards in front of an audience of more than 450 guests.

And it was a double celebration after Blenheim, which attracts tourists and corporate guests from around the world, also won the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Award.

The prestigious event staged at the Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford, also saw winners from companies and individuals across the county’s business community.

The Oxfordshire Business Person of the Year was Steve Liquorish of office seating supplier CMS Industries in Grove, while the Young Business Person of the Year was David Watt of Adderbury-based events services firm Corporate Innovations.

The Sustainability Award went to Oxford sausage restaurant The Big Bang in recognition of its use of local produce and green principles.

The Innovation category was won by eye-tracking software company Bunnyfoot based at the Harwell Innovation Centre, while the Charity and Community award was claimed by Oxford City Football Club.

Cassington marketing firm the Torpedo Group took the honours in the Creative category and Oxfordshire’s New Business of the Year is online pawnbroking firm Borro.com of Summertown, Oxford.

The Small Business award went to Abingdon-based hi-tech engineering firm Oxford Technologies and the Large Business title went to automotive parts supplier the Tibbetts Group in Banbury.

The Witney-based Cottsway Housing Association won the Green Property and Construction Award and the Customer and Staff Care category saw Eynsham asbestos treatment specialists Maylarch triumph.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood, founders of Oxford Instruments, for their work on the county’s business scene.

Andrew Smith, Business Editor of the Oxford Mail, was a judge at the awards.

He said: “It was a fantastic celebration of all that is best in Oxfordshire business.”