The Western Morning News Cornwall Farm Business Awards dinner had become "a highly valued night in the Cornish calendar," said WMN Editor Alan Qualtrough.

"These awards are splendidly uplifting when you consider the events of the last decade and the unwarranted and unnecessary obstacles put in your way," said Mr Qualtrough. "All of the entries exemplify what in an earlier age would be described as the Blitz Spirit. They are about resilience, co-operation, innovation and real hard work, precisely the qualities you all bring to your industry every day."

Dairy farmer Stephen Bone was the overall winner, taking the Victor Ludorum trophy.

"Our nomination came out of the blue, and I never dreamed that I would win," said Mr Bone, 40, who farms at Trengwainton, near Penzance, milking 220 Holstein cows and, as a member of Dairy Crest Direct, sending his milk to the cheese creamery at Davidstow.

"I know a lot of people shortlisted for the awards and there were some really good businesses involved."

Mr Bone, who also won the Best Dairy Farmer award, runs a conservation grazing scheme on his land, which is rented from the Bolitho Estate.

The Best Commercial Farmer title went to Richard Thomas, a Cornish new potato specialist grower of Trevear, Sennen. Best Woman in Farming went to Catherine Mead, the maker of Cornish Yarg cheese and chairman of Cornwall Agrifood Council, of Ponsanooth, near Redruth. Best Farm Processor was won by Bob Lindo, of Camel Valley Wines, near Bodmin. Best Farm Supplier to the Food Industry went to potato grower Philip Pryor, of F G Pryor & Son. And Best Future Farm Business Leader had joint winners in Julian Ellis, dairy farmer and contractor of St Buryan, and Nicola Chegwidden, chairman of the Cornwall Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.