A SPIRIT of well-being swept the 2004 Five Counties Business Awards along at such a pace it left the crowd baying for more.

Under the stewardship of TV newsreader Jamie Owen eight businesses were recognised for their endeavors, each one chosen from three finalists.

Previously, ngb2b chief Patrick Long had told the Cwmbran Parkway audience how the standard of entries had been so high it made it very difficult to chose any winners.

Mr Long enjoyed a cordial on-stage banter with Mr Owen who unleashed a waspish sense of humour.

Having just presented a prize to a Newport-based legal practice, he quipped: "You can always spot lawyers by the way they nervously glance over their shoulders as they leave a room."

On the subject of North Wales, he announced that "the recent flooding has caused the region to float off into the North Sea, so the good news is that we're free of it at last."

As a North Walian I was naturally worried about what Jamie Owen's fans in the region would think. He's probably alienated both of them.

The first prize of the night was awarded to Gwent's best new business. It was won by the Independent Digital Standards Commission, a regulatory body for aerial and satellite installers.

The best performance by a company of less than 25 employees was adjudged to be Newport legal eagles fwdlawassociates.

The same award for a company of over 25 employees was won by system integrators Industrial Automation & Control.

Exporter of the year was won by Silver Telecom and the firm drew an extra cheer when it was announced that it was being put forward as a regional finalist in the National British Chambers of Commerce Awards. Should it prevail in that competition Silver stands to win £25,000.

Best use of computer technology (ICT) was won by Hire One, a plant hire company well known to Argus staff as one of its South Wales' outlets stands between the newspaper office and the chip shop.

Entrepreneur of the year was won by Simone Price for her Monmouth-based health clubs business.

Newport Transport proved there was more to buses than axle grease and diesel fumes by winning the award for innovation.

The firm is leading the country with the introduction of a European version of the Yellow Bus concept which has proved so popular in the US for the transport of schoolchildren.

Finally, businesswoman of the year was won by Kerry Williams. A serial entrepreneur, she has an evening dress hire business and is also the brains behind safeclip a device for preventing children removing their safety belts in the car.

Sponsored by the Argus, the evening was a great success.

If it can be taken as a measure of the business sector in Gwent an observer could only conclude that it is in very good shape.