WE’RE asking the best companies in Cheshire to put their names forward for our annual business awards – and the response so far is incredible!

The competition, which celebrates the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the region’s firms, is really hotting up with nominations coming in for all categories.

Now in their fifth year, the Trinity Mirror awards attract interest from firms from the smallest start-ups to some of the county’s biggest employers.

The awards attract the support and sponsorship of some of the region’s biggest and best known firms.

The winners will be announced at a fabulous gala dinner being held at Chester’s Crowne Plaza hotel on Friday, September 19. This has become a highly-regarded event on the county’s social calendar.

The awards will be judged in nine categories:

Business Start-up Award, sponsored by Bentley

Small Business Award

Medium Business Award

Large Business Award, sponsored by Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance

Employer of the Year Award

Community Award

Young Business Person of the Year Award, sponsored by Scottish Power

Women in Business Award

Business Person of the Year Award, sponsored by Cheshire County Council

Deadline for entries is next Monday, July 21, and judging will take place the week ending August 1. The shortlist will be announced on Friday August 8.

To enter, contact the events department on 0151 472 2570 and ask for an entry form to be sent by fax, e-mail or post. You can also download an entry form from www.chesterchronicle .co.uk/cba

Any enquiries can be e-mailed to: en quiries@cheshirebusinessawards.co.uk

To book tickets for the gala dinner, call the events team on 0151 472 2570.