Joint runner-up, along with The Hampshire Flag Company, was TJ Waste and Recycling from Fareham.

Both are now planning to re-enter in a bid to clinch the top spot when the winners are announced at the gala awards ceremony in January.

Kevin Israel said after the thrill of last year he would once again be putting the four-star hotel forward.

He said: 'It was amazing to win it. It was such a huge thing and gave us a lot of kudos in Portsmouth, and in the intercontinental group, because we're really encouraged to work with the local community, and with that in mind we've been doing a lot of things.'

In addition to helping to sponsor Portsmouth charity John's Florida Dream, and hosting a number of petitions in support of The News' Hands Off Our Base Campaign, the hotel has made a rather unusual community contribution.

On the first Saturday of every month, the natural-light filled foyer sees a growing group of textile enthusiasts meet to share tips and tricks, with free tea and coffee on offer from the hotel.

Not to be outdone in the goodwill stakes, TJ Waste and Recycling has been highly active raising cash and manpower to help its chosen charity – The Beneficial Foundation, which provides skills and work to disadvantaged young people across Portsmouth.

In July, the company convened a huge golf day with a range of 19 firms teeing-off in a sponsored competition at Cams Hall Estate golf club.

The £15,000 raised from this year's challenge went on kitting out a computer learning suite for the charity, with computers, printers, an internet server and software.

TJ's director John Gosling said: 'We've done quite a bit more this year than last year.

'It's like someone said just the other day, it's not so much about the money, it's more about using our own time. I've just come from installing some computers for them now, actually.

'We wanted to be involved with someone who works outdoors as well, who had a waste and recycling aspect to them. We've actually got the Army coming down this weekend to help clear away some land opposite the ticket office at Fratton Park, to turn it into their own small gardening nursery.'