The secret of winning a business award is using it to your advantage, according to Jackie Bradshaw (pictured right) of Oxford-based Champion Recruitment.

She said: "One of the most important things that we value is customer service. This is official recognition and it is important to us as a local company that we are able to go back to our clients and prove that we have it. We use it on our letterhead.

"Our clients were as pleased as we were. It is a prestigious award, and it's wonderful to beat the competition.

"Tracy Hoodless, our founder, is a judge this year. We had plenty of support. It is not just a competition - everybody pulls together."