Three Suffolk entrepreneurs and another from north Essex are celebrating after scooping top regional business awards.

Jem Westing of Jem's Bees of Newmarket, Phil McEwan of Phil McEwan Consulting of Ipswich, Sam Cage of Ocala Healthcare in Stowmarket and Oli and Emily Arnold of Vanlife Conversions in Colchester all triumphed at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) event.

Winners of the Celebrating Small Business Awards for the East of England enjoyed afternoon tea together at Norwich’s Assembly House.

They now go through to the FSB’s national finals in Blackpool's Winter Gardens on May 9 where the UK winners will be announced.

Beekeeper Jem Westing scooped the Sustainability Award for her company, which produces seasonal honey and an array of homemade products.

Phil McEwan won in the Self-employed/Freelancer category after for his business consultancy.

Samantha Cage - who supports people with complex care needs - was crowned Young Entrepreneur of the Year after setting up her business in 2017.

Oli and Emily Arnold, founders of Vanlife Conversions - which specialises in creating bespoke campervans - scooped the Service Excellence Award.

The awards - which celebrated record numbers of entries this year - toast the achievements of small businesses and the self-employed.

FSB development manager Candy Richards congratulated the winners.

"These aspirational businesses are true trailblazers, and reflective of the amazing small businesses we are fortunate to have here in East Anglia," she said.

“It’s been thrilling to see so many small businesses showcase their achievements and take part in our awards.

"Although the climate for many of our small businesses is challenging, it’s been inspiring to read the award entries from businesses making such a positive impact on their staff and communities”.

Other award winners were Innovation: mobile identity services firm Sekura.id of Norwich; Expansion and Growth: LITTA App Ltd, Cuffley, Herts; Family Business of the Year: stairlifts company EMS Lifts, Baldock, Herts; Microbusiness of the Year: curated hampers business Stort Valley Gifting, Harlow; Start-up Business of the Year: commercial cleaning company Reed Commercial Services Ltd, Norwich; Franchise Business Award: care company Home Instead, Bedford; Community Business Award: Domestic Abuse Alliance, St Albans; Diversity and Inclusion Award: The NeuroSpicy Entrepreneur Club, Cambridge.