South Lakeland and Furness entrants claimed many of the top prizes in the latest Excellence in Cumbria Awards, presented by TUC general secretary John Monks at the Rheged Visitor Centre, Penrith, on Friday night.

Four out of the six business awards went to local firms, with English Lakes Hotels taking top honours by winning two awards outright and being runner-up in a further two categories.

The training awards for individuals also brought success for locals, with Nicola Draper of Kendal securing the career breakthrough award and Lesley McClean of Barrow picking up the TUC Lifelong Learning Award.

In addition, Christine Haughin of Barrow was named Cumbria Businesswoman of the Year award, while Lynne Horne of Dowdales School, Dalton, was shortlisted.

The Lake District National Park was also a finalist for the Lady Inglewood Training Award.

The awards, organised by Cumbria Learning and Skills Council, aim to recognise and reward learning, skills and achievement by individuals and businesses across the county.

LSC executive director Mick Farley said the awards were a key part in the organisation's strategy to raise awareness of the importance of learning and skills to the future of the county.

During a passionate speech at the Oscars-style ceremony, he beat the drum for increasing numbers of people to sharpen their skills and get more qualifications.

"There is no doubt that learning pays both for individuals and businesses," he told an invited audience at Rheged.

"You stand to earn 18 per cent more if you have a level 2 qualification, and 30 per cent more with a level 3 qualification.

People with a degree will earn the equivalent of a Lottery win in their lifetime - around three quarters of a million pounds more than those without any qualifications."

While learning was the key to opening doors for individuals, it was an "absolute necessity" for underpinning the county's future economic growth and prosperity, said Mr Farley.

Forecasters predicted that 55 per cent of all new jobs in the future would require a qualification of at least level 3, yet the workforce in Cumbria had " worryingly low levels" of basic skills, below the regional and national average.

"Workforce development has to be at the top of our agenda in this county.

It's a prerequisite for future success and prosperity.

Unless we catch up, we will be caught up in a vicious circle of low skills, low wages, producing low value products and services.

No-one wants to be in that position."

Mr Farley said businesses were now acknowledging the importance of training.

"Employers increasingly realise that helping people to get better skills, upgrade existing skills, getting qualifications, having a well-trained, confident and motivated workforce will build the success of their business and have an effect on their bottom line."

John Monks praised the talent on show at the awards, saying all the finalists were an inspiration to the rest of the county.

He stressed the importance of vocational training, saying there was a national drive to raise its status and ensure it was no longer viewed as a second class option.