THE FINEST engineers in the South were honoured at a black-tie awards ceremony in Winchester.

Small firms and multinational corporations went toe-to-toe at the Wessex Region Engineering Excellence Awards on Saturday, with firms from across Hampshire and Dorset taking the spoils.

Outstanding product of the year went to Southampton's i2O Water for its Smart Logger, a hi-tech water monitoring device.

Portsmouth-based Magma Structures took project of the year and the Engineering Excellence award for making the world's tallest carbon composite freestanding masts.

Nick Schulkins, chairman of the Wessex Region for the Institute of Mechanical Engineeers, which organised the ceremony at Winchester Guildhall, said: “The Wessex Region is full of hardworking, dynamic and innovative engineers, and these awards have given them the chance to have their stories heard. With each of the winners receiving a profile piece in Professional Engineers Magazine, it's a real opportunity to showcase the region's engineering excellence.”

The black tie event was hosted by celebrity racing driver Tiff Needell and Joe Crowley, a reporter for BBC's The One Show.

Mr Needell, born in Havant, said: “I was incredibly pleased to be a supporter and guest speaker for the inaugural Wessex Region Engineering Excellence Awards.

“The awards were a fitting celebration of the outstanding work undertaken across the region and I was impressed by their determination, innovation, and how they contribute to the local economy.”

Institution president Professor Richard Folkson gave the guest speech at the event, sponsored by Trant Engineering, Petrofact and QinetiQ.

To find out how to get involved in next year's awards programme, visit the Insitute of Engineers website.