GREAT customer service, dedication and reliability were among the qualities praised at the fourth annual Celebrating Small Businesses in Exeter awards ceremony.

Owners and staff of firms shortlisted in the competition run by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) gathered at the Devon Hotel on Friday evening as this year's winners were revealed.

Delivery firm Alpha Express Despatch, of Broadclyst, was already enjoying a boost in trade due to the postal strike and its week got even better when it was named Best Small Business in Exeter.

And the title of Best Small Business Employer went to Meca Services garage on the Sowton Industrial Estate.

Alpha Express owner, Colin Fribbens, said: "I'm very honoured to be awarded this prize on behalf of me and my staff. If it wasn't for my staff I wouldn't have a company. We try to provide an excellent service for our customers and we will try to carry on doing so and improve it for the future."

Mr Fribbens started the business four years ago when his previous employer David Pearson, owner of Exeter Express Despatch, was forced to retire following a heart attack.

Nomination forms sent in by customers had praised the firm's "service with a smile".

On the key to competing with bigger companies, Mr Fribbens said: "You have got to want to offer a service, whatever industry you are in. If you don't want to do it, it will show because you won't put enough effort in. When clients say your company does a fantastic job it puts you on a real high."

Staff of Meca Services had described the garage as a great place to work. Owner Jennifer Riach said: "I feel very proud of my team and I love them to bits. What I love about them best is that they treat the garage like it's their own. They care about the place as much as I do."

Runner-up in the best employer category was Jim Franklin, of Mackenzie Glass, on Marsh Barton, and Magdalen Road hair salon Headquarters was runner-up for the best small business title.

Before the winners were announced, David Dexter, honorary national secretary of the FSB, paid tribute to the contribution of small firms to the UK economy.

"We employ 58 per cent of private-sector employees, so it's only right that we should celebrate the excellence of the sort of businesses that are necessary to get us out of this terrible situation we are in today," he said.

Lord Mayor of Exeter Cllr John Winterbottom, who presented the awards, told those present: "On behalf of the city I want to thank you for the tremendous job you are doing, particularly during this very long recession."

Certificates were presented to the other shortlisted businesses: Exeter Sewing Machine Company, HQ Hair & Beauty and Lefroy Beauty Therapy in the best employer category; and in the best small business category Den's Delights, Orange Blossom Spa, Meca Services and Exeter Sewing Machine Company.

Nigel Hillier, Exeter chairman of the FSB, said: "It's always delightful to see so many small businesses get together to celebrate what they do.

"Most work very long hours to provide a quality service and product, often without recognition."