This year's winners of the annual Aspire awards, which recognise excellence in play operation, have been announced.

This year, play providers and suppliers competed in ten different categories. Gambado in Watford took the best new site award, while The Jungle in Warrington was handed the award for best small site (under 12,000sq ft).

Kidspace in Croydon won the best centre category for large venues (over 12,000sq ft) and the innovation award was given to The Playbus Company.

Other winners included Time Twisters (best food and beverage offer), Partyman World (operator of the year), Monkey Bizness (brand of the year) and Ezeeeplay (community award).

Two awards were handed over to individuals - Vicki Lowe of Rugrats and Half Pints in Banbury was given the employee of the year gong, while Paul Sharp, owner of Kids Play was named as an Aspire Legend.

Kate Costin, association manager of the Play Providers Association, which organises the awards, said "The quality of this year's entries was exceedingly high and the judges had a very tough task in picking our winners."