FROM a surprise appearance by pop star Olly Murs, to drumming rabbits and guests dressed to impress, the first Bay Living Awards was a night to remember.

More than 350 people packed in to Lancaster University’s Great Hall on Thursday night to see the winners take to the stage. From cafes and charities, to innovators and entrepreneurs, beauty salons and the best eateries of the Bay, the awards celebrated excellence in all walks of life.

The event was organised in partnership with Bay Living magazine and The Bay Radio as a celebration of everything that is special about the Morecambe Bay region. Hosted by The Bay Radio’s breakfast presenter Danny Matthews, with live coverage on air and online throughout the evening, this was a showbiz extravaganza.

Videos from TV and music star Olly, as well as fellow X-Factor acts Union J and Louisa Johnson, alongside chart topping bands Scouting for Girls and Collabro, as well as soap actor Adam Rickett, announced some of the winners. Once the presentations were over, guests danced into the night to music from Lancaster band Sold to the Sky.

Nanny Brow luxury B&B in Ambleside was one of the biggest winners of the night, with owner Susan Robinson winning the Best Boss prize and the venue taking home the trophy for Best Place to Stay. Milly Hill, house manager at Nanny Brow, was one of the team who nominated Susan Robinson for the Best Boss award.

She said: “She is kind and caring, she thinks about all her staff and does the best she can for her guests. She’s just a wonderful person.”

Susan added: “I was absolutely astounded to win, I’m so thrilled. It’s not me, it’s the team – they are a great bunch. They told me they had nominated me and I was so touched, I cried.

“It’s a double-whammy for us. Our B&B is the most beautiful house - one of the most significant arts and craft houses in the Lake District.”

David Unsworth of Unsworth’s Yard in Cartmel was another winner. He was voted Entrepreneur of the Year by the judges.

He said: “It’s great, such a big surprise. The Yard was 15 years in the making and this is the first bit of recognition we have had.

“Six weeks ago I didn’t know I had been nominated until a member of the public put my name forward. That means people are engaging with the Yard.

“We are not providing a service, we are just providing a space and letting people create their own atmosphere. That’s what we set out to do.”

Cumbria Constabulary won the award for Best Use of Creativity for its innovative campaign to raise awareness of child sex exploitation. Steven Ramshay and Lisa Chadwick represented the team from Cumbria Constabulary.

He said: “We are very pleased to win. It was a real team effort because everyone chipped in with the campaign.”

Lisa said: “Some of us have teenage children and some of us have not long since been teenagers ourselves. We knew we needed to be where the kids are and that meant getting on Snapchat. Their mums and dads use Twitter and Facebook nowadays. It was a very different way of getting our message across, a new way of doing it, and it has paid dividends.”

The Blacksmiths Arms at Broughton Mills was another favourite with the judges.

Head chef Mark Satterthwaite from the pub said: “I’d like to thank my boss and his wife for letting us develop the kitchen into what it is now. It’ll be great for the pub to get a bit of recognition.”

Speaking after the glittering awards ceremony, host Danny Matthews said: “What a brilliant night. We love a great party and this was one of the best in the Bay.

“Congratulations to all of our amazing winners and all of our finalists too. Every single one of them deserved to be there and it was fantastic to see them enjoying their moment in the spotlight.

“I can’t wait to see the Bay Living Awards get even bigger and better next year. This is going to become one of the highlights of the Bay’s calendar.”

The Bay Living Awards could not happen without the generosity of its supporters. The three associate sponsors were Lancaster University, Electricity North West and United Utilities and the category sponsors were Holdens Solicitors, Wilson’s Fresh Produce, Lancaster and District Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster City Council, Lancaster and Morecambe College, and Invest In South Lakeland, the economic development arm of South Lakes District Council, and there was additional support from Westgate Tyres.