It was a double gold victory for Harrogate-based Cicada Public Relations which scooped two top accolades at the regional PRide Awards, hosted by the Institute of Public Relations at The Queen's Hotel in Leeds.

Cicada, named after that seething hot climate insect, was the only nominee to collect two gold awards, both of which recognised a campaign which could not be more fitting - for National Insect Week, undertaken on behalf of the Royal Entomological Society in June.

The company beat off stiff competition from some of the region's biggest players to triumph in two categories - Use of Photography Or Design and Charity Or Non-Profit Campaign.

A "delighted" Di Burton, Cicada's managing director, said: "These awards really do recognise the very best of the region's PR talent.

"We worked hard to create an original initiative which combined education, creativity, and an across-the-board appeal."

The judges praised "a well-presented campaign, with an interesting and creative approach".

The campaign design, on which Cicada worked closely with National Insect Week sponsor Castle Cement, was recognised as having "a wide ranging appeal, from five-year-olds to senior academics".

Cicada is also a finalist twice over in the 2004 Evening Press Business Awards, in which the company is in the top three of both the Small Business of the Year and the Progress Through People categories. The result will be announced at the awards night at the Voltigeur Suite at York Racecourse on Thursday, November 18.

Another Harrogate-based firm, Quest Public Relations, was hailed at the Pride awards as The Best Small Team.

Founded by former Sky TV and BBC reporter Sharon Cain, Quest PR has grown at 30 per cent year-on-year since relocating to Harrogate in 1999 and being launched full time in April 2001.

The five-strong team, supported by freelance journalists, specialises in business-to-business, media relations, media training and newsletters.

Updated: 10:15 Monday, November 08, 2004