The head of a former Jewellery Quarter glass business has been voted top businessperson in the Midlands.

Elaine Westwood, who set up The Glass-works 20 years ago, was presented with the award at the inaugural Midlands Business Awards.

She was given the nod for her work establishing and growing the business, which now employs 10 people in Balsall Heath.

The business started out in the Jewellery Quarter, but moved premises when it needed more space to cope with its rapid expansion.

It makes glass products for shop fitters, restaurants, bars and interior design companies, and some of its products now sit in the Blackpool Tower.

Harj Sander, of UK Special Events, which organised the awards, said: "We are delighted for Elaine, who has achieved that rare thing of a thriving manufacturing business in the heart of the city."

More than 300 people were at the evening at the Birmingham Metropole, which drew a wide range of sponsors including Hilton Group, Business Link, EH Smith, KallKwik, the Sino-British International Exchange, NRG Business Networks, Coventry University and Worcester University.

It was also backed by Business Referral Exchange, which received two awards for its internal staff operations.

The evening was planned as an inter-continental mixer, with visitors from China and India.

Other winners included were Mark Beaumont-Thomas, of Lexicon Marketing, who took the networker of the year title, while Matt Roberts of Bean2Bed, won the young networker award.

Tom Williamson of Floppynet was recognised for the best business referral. Edwina Silver of Redditch-based Premier Overseas Property was named entrepreneur of the year, while the young entrepreneur award went to Gary Taylor, of Tamworth financial services provider TaylorBain.

Steve Connor, of Northamptonshire-based Premier Estate Planning, took the title of service provider of the year and the innovation of the year went to Keepsake Card, of Oldbury, run by Kathy Mills and Babs Scarlett.

In the two BRX awards, Wolverhampton was named best group and Paul Woods was best chairman for his work at Bromsgrove.