The best businesses in Sussex were celebrated at a glamorous and glittering ceremony.

Hundreds of businessmen and women from across the county attended last night's presentation of the 2010 Sussex Business Awards at The Grand in Brighton.

The Brighton Marathon, organised by Grounded Events, was the big winner on the night, scooping two awards.

Lettings agency Leaders was named Sussex Company of the Year with Higgidy Pies and Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) both runners up.

Organisers praised the level of entries for the 22nd annual celebration, which is the largest of its kind in the county.

The list of 36 finalists was drawn up from more than 200 entries and about 50 visits were made by judges to villages, towns and cities across Sussex.

Judges' chairman Ian Lucas, from Redseven, the hen and stag party company, said: “The success we celebrate here has been achieved against a backdrop of recession, and all of these businesses now face further challenges in an uncertain economy, as does every enterprise in Sussex.

“The entrants and winners have all demonstrated their fitness and willingness to meet the challenges, and I believe that they are representative of the whole Sussex economy.

“These awards recognise real and sustainable achievements.”

Camilla Stephens, of Higgidy Pies, was named Entrepreneur of the Year and Mark Woolley of Brighton-based Electric Hairdressing was named Sussex Businessperson of the Year.

Other winners included: Domestic & General Services (Health, Work and Wellbeing Award); BIMM (Creative Industries Award); Brighton Swimming School (Innovation in Business); Marlin Financial Services (Best Employer in Sussex); Club Class Chauffeurs (Best Customer Service); Natures Way Foods (Most Sustainable Business); Martin Searle Solicitors (Business in the Community Award); Trevillion Images (International Business of the Year); and Sussex Blast Cleaning (Small Business of the Year).

A special presentation was made to Robbie Raggio, best known as the man who started the Hove Station Hand Car Wash, for his Outstanding Support for Sussex Charities.

Robbie has raised more than £1 million in the last ten years for charities such as the Martlets Hospice, The Argus Appeal, and Chestnut Tree House.

Caraline Brown from awards organisers Midnight Communications, said: “Thanks are due to the sponsors and judging panel, who have given generously of their time and shared their expertise.”

For unrivalled coverage, including pictures, of last night's awards see the business supplement in Tuesday's Argus.