A WORCESTERSHIRE lighting technology company has been judged the best small business in the UK.

Bee Lighting of Redditch took the national small business of the year award at the British Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in London. Headquartered on the town's Enfield Industrial Estate, it specialises in both interior and exterior lighting products, mostly, but not solely, for the automotive industry. In recent years, the company's success has come from providing a mix of lighting technology and beautiful styling to appeal to customers.

Managing director Paul Crees said: “I’m completely blown away by this award, when they announced our name it took me a few moments to take it in. Myself and operations director Colin Fulford are very proud of the team’s achievements and it is so nice for them and us to be recognised in such a way."

Mike Ashton, chief executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, added: “Congratulations to the team at Bee Lighting on winning the British Chambers of Commerce Award for small business of the year. This achievement is well deserved and recognises the company’s growth and success in recent years. I am delighted that a Worcestershire company has been recognised on a national scale. Competition in the regional and national awards is extremely tough and Bee Lighting’s success is a tribute to the world class, innovative companies we have in the county.”

For Bee Lighting, the awards ceremony in London was the culmination of a long process starting in the early summer. In June, the company won the small business of the year award for Herefordshire and Worcestershire at an event in Worcester and went on to win the West Midlands title in the regional finals in September.