Hastings City Business Awards: It's kick off time

Finalists have just hours to wait until the Hastings City Business Awards are announced at tonight's themed dinner and ceremony.
In keeping with activity around the country for the Rugby World Cup, this year's event is themed "being at the top of their game".
Hastings City Business Association general manager Jane Janes said a night of surprise and rugby-oriented celebrations was in store.
"We have hinted to those attending that they can expect a 'rugbyfied' night where the parallels of achieving excellence with a business team and a rugby team are compared. A touch of humour and celebration of excellence all wrapped together will be the focus of the night."
Paula Roberts, from Event Finery, was in charge of decorating the Assembly Room where the "after match function" would take place. Mrs Roberts could not give too much away but said it had been an exciting challenge to find the "wow factor" within the theme. With 300 guests and about 30 tables, there were a lot of people to wow. "The sheer size and coming up with ideas for something that's quite different has been a bit of a challenge but this has been really exciting," Mrs Roberts said. "It was fantastic being chosen for this event and, hopefully, I prove myself. I would love to be involved in the future."
Ms Janes said the HBS Bank Hastings City Business Awards had been a four-month event involving many different phases and it was fantastic to be ready to pop the cork on the the champagne, reveal the results and celebrate.