by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The sky's the limit for an energy-saving firm named Medway Business of the Year.

Minimise scooped the premier prize in the 27th annual Medway Business Awards.

Managing director Paul West and general manager Dawn Cutler were presented with a handsome glass trophy and a £500 cheque at the climax of a glittering gala dinner in St George's Centre, Chatham Maritime.

The company, based at Medway City Estate, has created a product – IMOP – that slashes carbon emissions and energy costs.

Sales are expected to boom worldwide over the next few years.

Judges said: "The sky really is the limit in terms of how well this product can grow."

A delighted Mr West said afterwards: "We're just going from strength to strength."

Minimise was one of 12 finalists who made it to the gala dinner.

Other winners were Blue Skies School, Just Soe UK Style Academy, Geku Automation and RailSimulator.com.

Results and picture special in the Medway Messenger on Friday.