Staff at Brighton public relations firm Midnight Communications were in carnival mood after winning an impressive double.

The team scooped two gongs at the Institute of Public Relations' (IPR) Pride Awards ceremony held in London last week.

They won best not-for-profit campaign and best campaign for organising and promoting the Notting Hill Carnival.

Midnight successfully geared the festival towards families after it had been marred by violence the previous year, judges noted.

The IPR awards are one of the most prestigious in the industry calendar and the Midnight team celebrated with a night out in the capital.

Chief executive Caraline Browne said: "I was busy texting someone telling them we had won an award when I had to get up again because we'd won another.

"We were all absolutely chuffed and delighted and celebrated in the best way possible."

Midnight is based in Tower Point, North Road, and employs about 20 people.

Ms Browne negotiated a successful management buyout last year and was nominated for business person of the year at the Sussex Business Awards.

Monday February 16, 2004