The poll was conducted by thebestofnorthumberland through its online web site, containing almost 200 recommended businesses, as well as a popular events diary.

The idea of the creativity competition was to highlight those businesses that have given excellent service and value to their clients over the past 12 months, and after a closely fought online vote, the winners for 2008 emerged as Ashington based Welbeck Design.

The company started back in 2005 after graduation friends Lee Taylor and Mark Cook decided to use their skills to form Welbeck Design to help other small businesses develop their brand and corporate image.

After gradually building momentum, Welbeck now has an impressive portfolio and a fantastic range of clients and the addition of another Northumbria University graduate, Amy Purdie, has given the Welbeck team the extra capacity to cope with growth as the company goes from strength to strength.

Lee said: "The popularity of our work is down to the fact that what we do is very visual.

"We tend to design logos that can be interpreted universally without relying on words."

"We are also proud of the fact that we have worked with all sizes of business and we've helped new businesses to get access to funding for branding and design."

Tony McAndrew of thebestofnorthumberland said he was delighted with the results.

The Welbeck team will receive with their award at the inaugural thebestofnorthumberland networking evening at Kirkley Hall on May 13.

Northumberland businesses who wish to attend can contact Tony McAndrew on (01670) 504879.