Voluptuous cabaret act Dolly Rocket, Las Vegas-style dancers and a famous face at every turn - welcome to the 2005 Brighton and Hove Business Awards (BAHBAs).

The glitzy gala dinner, held at Brighton Racecourse last Thursday, was attended by almost 500 people and, barring the odd hiccup, went with a bang.

At one point it was touch and go whether Channel 4 news anchorman Krishnan Guru-Murthy would make it to the ceremony in time to announce the winners.

He arrived windswept on his motorbike almost an hour after schedule after his bosses at Channel 4 had asked him to host the news programme at the last minute.

Other celebrities at the bash included comedian Mel Smith, designer Oliver Heath, hairdresser Trevor Sorbie and news readers Carol Barnes and Marcella Whittingdale.

Brighton and Hove Mayor Bob Carden was guest of honour.

Winners included the Brighton Festival for Event of the Year, Drakes Hotel for Best New Kids on the Block and hotelier Roger Marlowe who was named Outstanding Brightonian.

But the biggest cheer of the night went to family-run hardware store and ironmongers Dockerills in Church Street, which has been based in Brighton for more than 100 years.

The BAHBAs were the idea of public relations firm Midnight Communications, which organised the event with Juice 107.2 FM and Brighton & Hove Life Magazine.

Caraline Brown, chief executive officer of Midnight, said: "This year's awards have been so exciting as we have seen such a broad range of businesses rewarded for their hard work.

"I was delighted to see Dockerills win their category.

"There can be few people in the city who have not experienced their fantastic level of service.

"I'd like to thank all those involved, from the team at Midnight to the judges and our sponsors, without whose generous support we would not have had an award scheme."

The Best International Business category is regarded as one of the most important, judging Brighton's ability to compete on the international stage.

This year the award went to global IT specialists FDM, based in Trafalgar Place, which was valued at £18.8 million when it floated on the Alternative Investment Market this year.

Rod Flavell, chief executive officer of FDM, said: "We are delighted to have won an award of this calibre and it illustrates not only FDM's strong regional standing but our increasing international presence.

"We're continually looking to expand and this award is a testament to the hard work and vision of our team."

The awards were established last year to salute entrepreneurial and creative talent in Brighton and Hove.

More than 150 of the city's top businesses were represented at the event, which took place inside a giant marquee.

Cabaret star and host for the evening Dolly Rocket presided over a charity auction which raised thousands of pounds for children's charity Whoopsadaisy.

BAHBAs roll of honour for 2005:

Creative Industries Award (Sponsored by Brighton and Hove City Council) Winner: Seventh Art Production, Runners-up: Rarekind Gallery, Red Design.

Best Company Offering Service to its Customers (Sponsored by Christopher Gull) Winner: Dockerills, Runners-up: Neilson Active Holidays, Priory Emergency Treatment Service.

Best Visitor Attraction or Cultural Destination (Sponsored by Midnight Communications) Winner: Komedia, Runners-up: Brighton Marine Palace Pier, Brighton Marina.

Education in the Community Award (Sponsored by University of Sussex) Winner: City College Brighton & Hove, Runners-up: Portslade Community College, The Bridge Community Education Centre.

The Best New Kids on the Block (Sponsored by Rendezvous Casino) Winner: Drakes Hotel, Runners-up: Due South, Brighton and Hove City Car Club.

Best Venue for Client Entertaining (Sponsored by Brighton's Juice 107.2 FM) Winner: Blanch House, Runners-up: Joogleberry Playhouse, One Paston Place.

Keep Brighton Moving Award (Sponsored by NCP) Winner: Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, Runner-up: Brighton and Hove City Car Club.

The Event of the Year (Sponsored by The Argus) Winner: Brighton Festival, Runners-Up: Pride in Brighton and Hove, Streets of Brighton.

The Company of Tomorrow (Sponsored by Nixon McInnes) Winner: Tag4, Runners-up: Simultane, Priory Emergency Treatment Service.

Best Place to Work (Sponsored by University of Brighton) Winner: ROK, Runners-up: Personal Lending Decisions - Lloyds TSB, Saks Hair and Beauty.

Best International Business (Sponsored by Charterhouse Commercial Finance) Winner: FDM, Runners-up: Simultane, Best of Brighton and Sussex Cottages.

Outstanding Brightonian Award (Sponsored by Brighton & Hove Life) Roger Marlowe, Paskins Hotel.

Tuesday, September 6 2005