People from behind the scenes took centre stage at the Leicester Comedy Festival Awards last night.

Volunteers and venue organisers were presented with honours as they shared the spotlight with comedians and performers.

The annual event, at The Pub in New Walk, was a chance to celebrate the best of this year's comedy festival.

Oscar-like awards and bottles of bubbly were dished out to mark the best at the 17-day festival which featured 370 performers at nearly 50 venues throughout the city.

The first award of the night was for the best new venue, going to the Exchange Bar in Rutland Street.

Cassie Soulsby, who collected the gong, said: "It has been so much fun to work with this festival. It was great.

"We look forward to working with them in the future, to bring more exciting performances to festival-goers."

Last year's new venue winners, The Crumblin' Cookie, were back on stage to receive the best venue award.

Antony Hopkins, who stepped up to take the praise, said: "This is truly amazing.

"The Leicester festival is unique. It is so community-based. It is a pleasure to be involved."

The Make Me Happy Project Award went to the Gujarati Comedy Group.

Raj Brahmbhatt, of the group, said: "It is fantastic to be here and to get this recognition. We ran two shows and we were the only non-English speaking shows.

"Despite this, we were packed both nights with 500 people coming along supporting us."

Comedian Mark Olver showed his serious side for a moment as he took the prize for best debut show.

Mark said: "It is exciting to do Leicester because you can be imaginative and fun and somehow win an award like this.

"Winning this is great because it shows I am not totally rubbish and some of the stuff I do is actually appreciated. This will do wonders for my self confidence."

Hot on his heels was stand-up George Ryegold, who was delighted to receive the award for best show.

George said: "I did not expect to win anything like this.

"I will come back to this city because everyone has made me feel so welcome.

"I thank them for that and this lovely award."

Leicester Comedy Festival director Geoff Rowe said he was pleased to wrap up this year's proceedings with such a fun-filled event.

He said: "This is the time for the unsung heroes of this festival to be saluted.

"So many people have put so much effort in. It is remarkable that they keep on doing it year after year. The size of the crowd tonight is testament to the growing credibility and stature of this festival and long may it continue."

Just for Laughs: The best of 2011

This year’s winners:

New venue: The Exchange Bar

Best venue: The Crumblin’ Cookie

Make Me Happy Project: The Gujarati Comedy Club

The Green Room Award: The O2 Academy

Best Debut show: Mark Olver

Best Show: George Ryegold

Contribution to Leicester Comedy Festival 2011: Roo Peake and Bruce Edhouse

Lifetime Contribution Award: Jeanne Jenner Rae