More than 800 employees of Stockvale, the owners of Adventure Island, packed out the Cliffs Pavilion for their annual Star Awards.

During the raucous ceremony, more than 60 awards and £25,000 in prize money was won by members of the team for their outstanding work over the season.

Among the winners was Kai Trigg, 18, who took home a whopping £2,675 for his work in the catering department, winning top summer and overall season back of house host and top of department.

Kai, of Philpott Avenue, Southend said: “I feel absolutely brilliant.

“I would like to thank my team mates and director James Gibbs. “Thank you for everything.”

Rides hosts, Bobby Deal, 17, also won big, taking away £2,925. He won eight awards which included top summer and overall season customer service host, top of department, strongest work ethic, open to change, team player of the year, most self-disciplined and manager’s host.

Bobby, of Kingfisher Close, Southend, said: “I was stunned. I have worked at Adventure Island for just over a year, I’ve had amazing leaders and a fun experience and I love my job so much.”

The evening was hosted by Marc Miller, managing director of the Stockvale group and Paul Lovett from Radio Essex, who said: “It was a truly wonderful night, they certainly know how to party.”