A TRIO of Huddersfield businesswomen melted the hearts of the judges to land awards in a top regional competition.

Louise Holmes, of ice cream firm Yummy Yorkshire, Heather Connaughton, of Huddersfield University and disabled trainer Gemma Blagborough were among the winners in the Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards.

They received their trophies at a ceremony in Leeds organised by regional business networking group Forward Ladies.

Louise won the Home-Based Business Woman of the Year Award for her achievements as a founding partner of Yummy Yorkshire, which is based at the family farm near Denby Dale.

The firm supplies its award-winning diary ice cream to restaurants, farm shops and visitor attractions across Yorkshire.

Heather was named PA of the Year for her role as personal assistant to the chancellor and vice-chancellor at Huddersfield University – Sir Patrick Stewart and Prof Bob Cryan respectively.

Gemma was winner of the category for Start-Up Business Woman of the Year.

An experienced trainer, she works with children and families and launched Dalton-based personal training business Jigsaw Enterprise Training to make training a fun and interactive learning experience.

Overall winner and Forward Ladies Business Woman of the Year was Gomersal woman Liz Colleran, who created her company Duvalay after combining a portable memory foam mattress topper with a shaped duvet.

She became Hilary Devey’s first investment on TV’s Dragon’s Den and despite the economic downturn has increased sales by 10% this year.

Liz created the Duvalay after many uncomfortable nights sleeping on a caravan mattress. The product is now used by caravanners and campers as well as people on canal boats.

Liz also won the category for Manufacturing Business Woman of the Year.