A TOP business expert today urged East Lancashire enterprises to spread the word about their excellence by entering the area’s biggest awards.

“We have lots of really world-beating companies with world-class products but we don’t always know the sheer breadth of it and just what our neighbours down the road are doing,” said Mike Damms, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. “The Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards are a great opportunity to showcase what is happening.

“The national mood now recognises that it is industry and manufacturing that is going to bring the country out of recession and that is ideal for East Lancashire.

“This is the perfect time to show we have some wonderful companies in this area,” he added. The 2012 Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards give individuals, and firms, the chance to be recognised for their successes in the past 12 months and climaxes with a spectacular awards ceremony at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on November 16.

There are 11 categories for enterprises of all sizes covering a wide range of business activity including manufacturing, export, environment, retailing, innovation and technology.

Sponsors this year are Blackburn College, Themis – the business training division for Burnley College, Blackburn with Darwen and Burnley borough councils, BAE Systems , international business experts Deloitte, Accrol Papers, legal firm Napthens and Hyndburn Enterprise Trust.

Hugh Bramwell, principal of Themis, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Environment Award at the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards.

“We have received national recognition for our environmental technologies and ensure that sustainability and renewable technologies play a key part in business operations and the courses offered to employers.

“We are looking forward to rewarding one local company for the contribution they are making to improve sustainability in the region.”

Entry is free and businesses can enter as many categories as they wish. Forms, which must be returned by September 10, can be downloaded at www. lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/business/business_awards/ or by emailing businessawards@ lancashire.newsquest.co.uk