The best of Hull businesses and entrepreneurs have been recognised at an awards ceremony.

The Hull Business Improvement District (HullBID) commended the city centre's most outstanding performers at the 2017 HullBID Awards, held at the Royal Hotel Hull, in Ferensway.

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID city centre manager, told the gathering the nominations had surpassed previous years both in strength and number.

She said: "The judges had a tough job selecting the winners.

"The HullBID Awards is a celebration, an opportunity to recognise and reward our city centre businesses – you are all winners tonight."

The awards dinner was attended by the HullBID team, finalists and sponsors of the ten categories.

Nominations for the HullBID Awards started flooding in as soon as the competition opened in early March; the shortlist was announced two weeks ago.

Neil Hodgkinson, editor of the Hull Daily Mail, the media partner in the awards, said: "For a fourth year this event celebrates all that is great in our city's day and night-time economies, and everyone here should already feel proud."

He told the audience: "The one thing that never fails is that you always support this event, which celebrates your talents and achievements and gets bigger and bigger each year.

"Thanks must be given to HullBID for funding such a superb initiative that gives you, the city centre businesses, the recognition you deserve."

The first award went to Hull City Council's Civic 1 CCTV system for helping to engender a feeling of safety with its "eyes in the sky".

Civic 1 was awarded the Safe City Award, with dinner guests being told that many specific examples had been given of how going the extra mile had helped detect those offending.

The Dressed to Impress Award went to Poorboy Boutique, in Princes Quay shopping centre, for its ever-changing window displays and the creativity shown in its innovative designs.

Tim Davis, of the Games Workshop, was the "standout candidate" in the Outstanding Employee or Team Award. His commitment was said to be "off the scale", giving time and his own money to help transform the social aspect of the business and also help teenagers with anxiety issues.

The Service With A Smile category was won by the team at Timpson Shoe Repairs, a "stalwart" of Hull adapting to very different times.

The Community Spirit Award went to Gosschalks Solicitors for its continuing help for Hull and East Yorkshire Smile Foundation.

Honoured with the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was Judy Newlove, of Sugar 'n' Spice, who was credited for recognising a new business opportunity, and the Commitment to Training and Development Award went to Grosvenor Casino, for providing 20-plus hours of training a week.

The accolade for Innovative Marketing Campaign was bestowed on Dr Martens, which received an "overwhelming number" of customer nominations for hosting a free gig that supported local musicians.

The Alive After Five Award was won by Superbowl UK Hull, described as "great for targeting the after-work crowd".

The Lifetime Contribution Award was presented to Eric Silver, of Leonard Silver Menswear.

Ms Shillito said the store had been a destination for the region's best dressed males for more than 70 years and much of its popularity in the past half-century was down to the influence of Mr Silver.