ONE of the area’s leading business figures has welcomed the launch of the 2009 Lancashire Telegraph business awards.

Andrew Clare is a partner in Napthens solicitors’ Blackburn office, and is an award winning corporate solicitor specialising in work including mergers and acquisitions.

This year Napthens is again sponsoring the social and community development category of the business awards, with Andrew saying the gong is an important one for the area.

He has also called on organisations to enter the awards.

He said: “East Lancashire has some fantastic businesses – ones which continue to be a success despite the recession.

“But it is easy to forget many comp-anies are not only trying to run a busi-ness and make a profit, but also do some vital work supporting the community – whether through assisting community groups or provid-ing sponsorship for local facilities.

“It is these businesses – at the heart of their communities – that are being celebrated by this category once again.

“I hope this award will again be one of the most popular categories, and unearth some of the fantastic work being done in East Lancashire’s business community.”

The Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards take place at Ewood Park on Friday, November 20.

Other categories are business of the year, team of the year, small business of the year, retailer of the year as well as awards for training and development, innovation, environment, export and technology.

There is also the We’re Backing Business award for firms which have overcome adversity during the recession.