Years of hard work paid off for Gillian Dovey, when she was named businesswoman of the year at the Gazette's Essex Countywide Business Awards 2008.

The Colchester mum, who founded swimming club First Strokes, picked up the accolade at the glittering awards ceremony amid cheers, tears and thunderous applause from 750 guests at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend.

Ms Dovey, who also won the Colchester businesswoman of the year title at the Gazette's Colchester Business Awards in November last year, started First Strokes Swim Schools nearly eight years ago, when she discovered children's swimming lessons were not adequate.

Putting her personal life on hold, she put every ounce of energy into generating business.