A company which helps save babies' lives has been crowned Business of the Year at the Croydon Business Awards 2012.

SLE Ltd, manufacturers of life-saving neonatal ventilators, were honoured at the awards ceremony held in Fairfield Hall, Park Lane, Croydon, last Wednesday.

The company specialises in designing, developing and manufacturing life support equipment for newborn babies.

They have been based in Croydon for over 50 years, exporting over 90 per cent of its products to 80 countries worldwide.

Managing director Bernard Nelligan said: "It is good to have the endorsement of the business community in Croydon for what we do and is a vote of confidence for all the people at SLE who I am very proud of.

"As a niche manufacturer this award will really help us gain further recognition. It is very special to represent Croydon and take this out to the world. "

Ria Barlabas, head of Barclays Business Southern Region, presented the award.

She said: "We are here to look at the brightest stars, each of the companies shortlisted are all seen as role models to others and it was incredibly hard to choose a winner.

"SLE Ltd has won the international award for two years in a row and has been rewarded for its search for manufacturing excellence within Croydon."

A further 11 awards were handed out during the ceremony, with Dynamo Boxing Training scooping an award for best small business and TPS Consult winning large.

The best green business went to Jury's Inn Croydon, while Croydon Park Hotel won a hospitality and leisure award.

All of the winners are shortlisted to go on to the South London Business Awards held in July 2012.