BUSINESS Link scored a hat trick at this year's SWOT awards - with three companies honoured for their marketing excellence.

The prestige awards aim to reward the sheer blood, sweat and tears behind the best marketing campaigns produced by companies in the north of England and Scotland.

More than 100 companies were in the running for this year's awards - and of 21 that made it onto the roll of honour, three were backed by Business Link Wirral.

Chester based Sykes Cottages was rewarded for its dynamic internet marketing and re-branding - earlier this year the holiday cottage rental company also scooped an award for its use of e-commerce.

And the results of a new marketing plan for MR Engineering also earned an award for the firm's Birkenhead branch.

It attracted 50 new customers and increased sales by £200,000 last year.

The hat trick was completed by Dreamcatcher, a gift and corporate incentive company offering vouchers ranging from 'Zookeeper for a Day' to tank driving lessons.

Business Link helped all three companies compile a comprehensive report along with backup evidence to support their submission.

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