Hard work, teamwork, skill and initiative were all recognised on Monday night when the winners of the South and West London Achievement Awards 2009 gathered at Canary Wharf.

The setting for the awards was the landmark HSBC tower which soared 47 floors up into the plane-free sky.

The bank had generously sponsored the event, laying-on a hot buffet and copious quantities of alcohol. The latter was particularly welcomed by thirsty staff arriving from the far-flung outposts of Newsquest's media empire - Petts Wood, Twickenham, Cheam and High Wycombe.

The Bucks team had the longest journey but arrived and left in style - a stretched Hummer-style limo. Eye-catching, even in the moneyed canyons of Canary Wharf, and surprisingly economical according to editor Steve Cohen.

Howard Scott, Roger Mills, Andy Parkes and Dene Stuart all took to the podium to say how impressive the winning efforts were, particularly given the huge pressures on the company last year.

Howard said he had survived three recessions since he started work and 2009 was definitely the worst year he could remember. He said although the company had to make some very tough decisions in the first part of 2009, the unwavering focus on providing quality to our customers had meant that we are now in a much better position than our competitors.

Roger thanked everyone for their efforts and emphasised the value of high-quality, independent newspapers and websites, especially at a time when we are under threat from councils putting out propoganda masquerading as news.

Andy said a key ingredient of that success was much closer cooperation between editorial and advertising, a theme picked up by Dene who described the award winners as 'fantastic'.

The winners were all presented with a bottle of Newsquest champagne by Roger Mills as well as receiving a framed certificate. The bubbly was the genuine article, as smallprint on the label made clear, despite rumours that the grapes were grown using hydroponics in the basement at Cheam.

If there was an award for best-dressed man it would have gone to handyman Tony Bowyer, winner of the Support Services Individual of the Year award, while there were plenty of contenders for best-dressed woman.

Cheam receptionists Iona Johnson and Sue Penfold, there to pick up their Support Services Team award, showed the most initiative on the night, evading tight security and blagging their way right up to the 47th floor.

The view from the top was apparently unforgettable.

To view all the photos from the night please click here.