A GOATS cheese farm, an eco-friendly taxi firm and a community cafe were given awards for improving one town's business and community.

A total of 11 organisations were celebrated in an Oscars-style ceremony at the eighth annual Didcot Business and Community Awards (BACAs).

More than 200 people from 36 shortlisted groups attended the ceremony organised by town promotion group Didcot First at the town's Cornerstone arts centre on Friday, November 18.

The awards were presented by judges, sponsors and Didcot mayor Steve Connel and all winners received a certificate and £100 prize money.

This year's Best New Business award was handed to Fraser Norton and Rachel Yarrow who started their goats cheese business Norton & Yarrow Cheese in March.

English teacher Miss Yarrow quit her job at Abingdon School, they bought 12 Nubian Goats and moved to a farm on the banks of the Thames near Shillingford.

The couple said they were 'delighted' just to be nominated.

After the ceremony they said: "We were not expecting to win, so it was a bit of a shock when our names were called out.

"The judges were apparently impressed by what we had achieved since starting to sell our cheese in March, in terms of our sales and awards for the cheese."

They said they would spend their £100 prize money on toys and treats for their goats.

Didcot's Go Green Taxis won the award for Best Use of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The company's fleet of more than 50 cars includes the fully-electric Nissan Leaf and hybrid Toyota Prius.

Cars also use AdBlue technology which reduces nitrogen oxide emissions from the exhaust of diesel vehicles.

Go Green has also partnered with The World Land Trust to purchase Brazilian rainforest on a monthly basis to help offset its emissions, and now protects more than 60 acres.

Commercial director Mark Parham said: "We are very pleased and proud to have received this award.

"It's important to us to try and make a difference to set us apart from our competitors: our green initiatives, innovative values and community engagement allow us to be more than just a standard taxi company."

The Best New Charity Award went to the Great Western Park Community Cafe.

This was set up by residents on Didcot's newest housing estate last year to help neighbours get to know one another.

Emma East from Didcot First congratulated all winners and added: "This whole event is a chance for Didcot and surrounding areas to celebrate excellence and talent from around the local community."

The organisations is now looking forward to opening nominations for next year's awards in the Spring.