THE premier awards event in the calendar of Bury and Bolton businesses will be staged this October.

For entries are now being sought for the highly popular and influential 2001 Bolton and Business Awards for Excellence and Achievement.

And a high-flying Bury company can certainly make its mark during the glittering affair.

For the first time in the history of the event, a category has been established to reward and recognise the Best Peforming Bury Business. The Bury Council-sponsored award carries a £2,000 prize with £1,000 going to the runner-up.

And the Bury Times and Bolton Evening News is sponsoring the Tony Rink Award for Corporate Social Responsibility,

This is in tribute to well-known businessman Mr Rink, chairman of Bolton and Bury Chamber, who died in 1999.

The Awards evening, to be held at the Bolton's Reebok Stadium on Friday, October 12, will feature 15 different categories with cash prizes of £41,000 up for grabs, making it one of the most lucrative competitions in the UK. Once again, Bolton Business Ventures (BBV) is organising the event, expected to be a sell-out with 700 guests attending.

The Awards are open to businesses of all sizes and types located in Bury and Bolton. Local companies have emerged victorious in previous years.

The most prestigious of all categories will be Company of the Year.

Elsewhere, there are specific categories for Young Entrepreneurs, Creative Industries, Ethnic Business and Customer Service Excellence.

New for 2001 is a category for Women in Business which is sponsored by BBV in association with The Phoenix Fund.

All entrants must supply information including sales, assets, operating profits and employment record.

The Awards are judged on sustained performance as well as on the contribution they make in terms of wealth created, employment generated and enterprise shown.

You can obtain further information about the 2001 Awards, including an entry pack, from BBV on 01204 391400.

Details are also on the website at bbvonline.net

The entry deadline is 5pm on Friday, July 13 and companies are advised to start preparing now for a possible moment of glory.

Awards categories:

Company of the Year: Winner £5,000, runner up £2,000 (sponsored by Bolton and Bury Chamber).

Business Person of the Year: Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (Bolton Institute).

Best Performing Bury Business: Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (Bury Metro).

Growth Business of the Year: Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (Barclays).

Ethnic Business of the Year (Bolton only): Winner £2,000 (Bolton Metro).

New Ethnic Business of the Year (Bolton only): Winner £1,000 (Bolton Metro).

Environmental Business of the Year (Bolton only): Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (Bolton Metro/Bolton Business Environment Network).

Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Bolton only): Winner £1,000 (Bolton Metro).

New Small Business of the year (Bolton only): Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (Bolton Metro).

Creative Industries Award (Bolton only): Winner £1,000 (Bolton Metro).

New Small High Growth Business: Winner £2,000 (Bolton Metro).

Women's Business of the Year: Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (BBV/ Phoenix Fund).

Investment in People Award: Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (Bolton and Bury Chamber).

Success Through E Business: Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (BT/SME). These prizes will be given as Internet products.

Customer Service Excellence Award: Winner £2,000, runner up £1,000 (Bolton and Bury Chamber).