LAKELAND Dairies, the country's second largest non quoted dairy group, yesterday scooped the third annual Compaq Ireland Trade Award. Runners up included Belleek Pottery, the Campbell Bewley group, the fashion designer Libra Sales and Lowe Refrigeration.

Mr Roy Bailie, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, received the 1997 individual award in recognition of his work to attract more visitors to Ireland. Sir George Quigley, chairman of Ulster Bank, won the Lifetime Achievement award.

Compaq said the all Ireland awards were "the Oscars for the business community".

Presenting the prizes, the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, departed from his prepared text to remark that, unlike many of the current crop of politicians, business people understand the need to take risks in order to succeed.