With less than two weeks until deadline day, businesses across Blackburn and Darwen are being urged to enter the inaugural Hive Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards before 9 March 2015.

The awards, presented in association with Blackburn College and Capita, and backed by the Hive business leaders network, aim to celebrate the very best of business in the borough and are open to businesses, organisations and individuals across 12 categories.

Those that enter will discover their fate at the black tie event which will take place on Thursday April 30 at the magnificent Blackburn Cathedral.

Khalid Saifullah, chairman of the Hive Network and Director of local manufacturing firm Star Tissue UK, comments: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the awards so far and we look forward to reviewing the entries at the interview stage. We urge all local businesses to enter and gain recognition for what they do locally.”

“The awards are a great chance for all businesses in the Borough to shout about what they do and celebrate the extraordinary people working for them. We look forward to celebrating with everyone on the night.”

The 12 awards include the Hive Chairman’s Award and the Arte et Labore Award as well as The Young Entrepreneur and The Bright Spark Award.

Other categories include; The Eureka Award, The Newcomer Award, The International Achievement Award, The High Growth Award, The Manufacturing Excellence Award, The Creative Agency Award, The Investing in the Future Award and The Enterprise in Education Award.

Other sponsors include: Bowker Motor Group, Business and Enterprise Trust, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Forbes Solicitors, Heritage Envelopes, Napthens Solicitors, Pierce Chartered Accountants, Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE), Ronset and Tauheedul Education Trust, with media partners including The Bee, Lancashire Business View, BBC Radio Lancashire and Blackburn Life Media.

Hive is a group of business leaders working together to inspire prosperity and is supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

More information about the Hive Blackburn with Darwen Business Awards and full details about each category and how to enter are available online at www.hivebusinessawards.co.uk.