A family-run construction business which has grown from one-man band to a firm employing 180 with turnover of £90m was named Trethowans Business of the Year at the Echo-backed South Coast Business Awards 2018.

Brymor Construction received the honour at last night's black-tie awards ceremony held at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl.

Brymor, based in Waterlooville, was founded in 1987 by chairman Stephen Morton.

Stephen said: "We have achieved and awful lot for a family business."

He paid tribute to the support his wife Jan, a director of the company from the outset and his daughter Carmen, who is the company's HR director.

Brymor had achieved steady growth up until six years ago when he recruited the services of managing director Mark Dyer, said Stephen.

"He has been phenomenal, bringing in new procedures and quality controls."

Brymor also won the Winchester Motor Group Customer Service Award and was a runner-up in the Scale-Up category.

Simon Rhodes, senior partner of law firm Trethowans, who sponsored the award, told the Echo that Brymor story was what the awards were all about.

"They wowed us," he said. "They are a phenomenal all-round business which has been too-long hidden. These awards are about helping companies like this celebrate their successes."

Simon compered the evening alongside England’s 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst who told stories of his career in football and out of it.

After being sacked as Chelsea's manager in 1981 he realised he could make as much money outside football as in it – how times have change – and began a career in insurance and dropped out of the limelight.

A decade later he found himself at an insurance industry lunch where it was clear the people on is table didn't recognise him. The discussion turned to football and a fellow diners asked him if he remembered where was "when that fourth goal in 1966 went in?". He modestly explained that he had actually scored it. The extremely embarrassed insurance man exclaimed: "You must be Bobby Moore then!"

Moving to more recent events Sir Geoff praised Gareth Southgate's squad's application and attitude on and off the pitch.

In his speech Simon Rhodes said that the south's businesses needed to "bottle" the feeling of optimism and belief which had been generated by England's World Cup run.

"We have to stay tapped into that feeling and pan for success and expect it of ourselves and the region."

The other winners on the night were:

Taylor Made Best Use of Technology: Southampton Airport

Hampshire Chamber of of Commerce Small Business of the Year: Brightbulb Design

Meachers Global Logistics Export Award: Talley Group

British American Tobacco Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Region: Highfield Professional Solutions

Moore Stephens Owner Managed Business of the Year: Mindworks Marketing

Smith & Williamson Scale-Up Business of the Year: Imperial Cars

The awards are run in conjunction with Business South, Destination Southampton and Santander.