A HI-TECH lighting firm that has worked for the Queen shone out at Medway’s glittering business night of the year.

Rako Controls, runner-up last year, took the £2,000 top prize in the 21st annual Medway Small Business of the Year Awards, held in Big Blue, the former Colonial Mutual headquarters in Chatham Maritime, on Friday.

The growing company, based in the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, specialises in ambient lighting and wireless control systems. It recently designed and installed a system for Buckingham Palace.

After collecting the winner’s cheque, ecstatic director Ashley Goddard said: "We’ve got a great team of people and great customers. We’ve got great team spirit and it’s been fun."

Other awards at the James Bond-themed gala dinner attended by 250 people went to Trinity School, Classic Filters, both in Rochester, New Media4All, Rainham, and Astral Design, Chatham.

The awards are backed by Lloyds TSB, Medway Council, North Kent Chamber of Commerce, Business Link Kent, Reeves and Neylan, University College for the Creative Arts, University of Kent at Medway, Medway Enterprise Gateway and the Medway Messenger.

* Full story and more pictures in the Medway Messenger on Friday.