LEADING Edge Labels made it a double at this year’s controversial Kent Business Awards.

The Gravesend firm, named Kent Company of the Year in 2005, snapped up two more glittering prizes this year – for Customer Service and Technology.

It was one of nine organisations that won coveted silver trophies made by Deal craftsman Paul Harrison.

Judges praised Leading Edge, which narrowly missed out on a treble, for the development of IT systems that put them ahead of their field. They liked its commitment to customer service which has seen the company attract major brands and high customer retention.

Mainstream Training, of Sittingbourne, and Armourcoat, Sevenoaks, a specialist supplier of surface finishes, were named Kent Companies of the Year.

Southern Salads, of Tonbridge, clinched the Excellence in Training and Development award.

It was a good night for Gravesend, with Ekay Plc, a direct media and advertising company, named Small Business of the Year.

David Ward, managing director of Ward Security, Medway City Estate, was Kent Business Person of the Year.

He said: "This is something for the whole company to be proud of. It’s not just me, Ward Security is a team effort and we can all enjoy this achievement."

The Plumbing Academy, Edenbridge, won the Best New Business Award, while East Kent Cyrenians, Canterbury, won the Social Care Award for its work with the homeless.

Steven Edwards, chief executive of The Plumbing Academy, which is widely recognised as a premier training centre for the industry, said: "I am honoured and delighted to collect this award.

"As a team, we have all worked extremely hard and given 100 per cent commitment to developing the Academy into a business of which we are all very proud. "

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services, of Northfleet, scooped the Voluntary Sector Award.

Charity chief Carol Smith said: "This is a great boost not just for us but for the public sector.

"When you work for a charity you have to work hard to get recognition and support. But we all believe passionately in the organisation and supporting people.

"All our people, our clients and our carers, are lovely people and they are going to be so thrilled about this."