Business leaders and sports stars gathered last night to applaud the winners of the Punchline Awards at the 2017 Gloucestershire Business Show.

The presentations were the highlight of the black-tie 'After Party' at Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham on the first day of the show, which continues today at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse.

The evening also included a three-course meal and drinks, a charity auction to raise funds for the Gloucestershire Business Show's charity partner the Pied Piper Appeal, and a Q&A with Gloucester Rugby fly-half Lloyd Evans and former Gloucestershire cricket star Alex Gidman.

Punchline editor and Moose Marketing and PR MD Mark Owen presented the Punchline Business Award for Outstanding Contribution to Chris Oldershaw, the former CEO of the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC).

Mr Owen paid tribute to Mr Oldershaw (pictured) for the way in which he helped kick-start the massive regeneration of Gloucester during his role with the now disbanded organisation.

After receiving his award, Mr Oldershaw said: "I'm extremely pleased to have received this award on behalf of the GHURC and the strong and committed team.

"It's great to see the regeneration continue in Gloucester through both city and county councils and key partners like private developers Rokeby Developments (who are working on Bakers Quay) and the University of Gloucestershire (on Blackfriars)."

The Charity Partner Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Peter Hickman (pictured right), who founded the Pied Piper Appeal in 1992.

Over the past 25 years, the charity has raised more than £4 million to fund life-saving medical care and practical equipment for local children thanks to the efforts of its supporters.

Mr Hickman said: "I'm grateful to the people who proposed and seconded me for this award and I hope they continue to support the charity and that work that it does."

The Young Enterprise Award for Commercial Viability was won by Cotswold Reclaimers, a team of students from Cirencester College, for their achievement in running a business that turns discarded wooden pallets into homeware.

The award was picked up on the team's behalf by HR director Amy Bilous (pictured below)

The Gloucestershire Business Show is free to attend and features a packed programme of events all under one roof at The Centaur.

Parking at the racecourse is also free.

Now in its third year, attractions include speakers, access to more than 100 exhibitors, zones hosted by teams of experts from across the corporate, SME and not-for-profit sectors, specialist hubs, plus seminars and workshops focusing on a wide variety of business matters.