HUNTINGDONSHIRE companies now have three further weeks to submit their entries for the district s most prestigious business awards. Entries for the 12 categories of The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business awards, which are supported by Huntingdonshire Dis

HUNTINGDONSHIRE companies now have three further weeks to submit their entries for the district's most prestigious business awards.

Entries for the 12 categories of The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business awards, which are supported by Huntingdonshire District Council, can be submitted until August 31.

The original deadline this week has been extended to give busy firms the chance to complete their entries to the competition.

Paul Richardson, chairman of the awards and publisher of the Cambridgeshire titles of The Hunts Post's parent group, Archant, said yesterday: "Several companies have told us they have simply been too busy to complete their entries.

"Some of them were firms we know would be serious contenders for short-listing, and it seemed a shame to prevent their being successful in the awards just because they were successful in their businesses.

"We are especially keen to have a range of high quality entries this year, because it is the 10th year we have been running the awards and we have two new categories and two new sponsors.

"As it turned out, holiday commitments have made it difficult for us to get the judging panel together before September, so it was sensible to make good use of the extra time available," Mr Richardson added.

The awards are open to all businesses in the Huntingdonshire area and entry is free.

All entrants are eligible to enter up to three categories (one individual and two for the company). The winners will be announced at a black tie dinner on Friday, November 2, at the Burgess Hall in St Ives.

The overall winner of the Business of the Year award will be chosen by the judges from the winners of the 11 individual awards.

Awards categories and sponsors are: Huntingdonshire District Council (supporting all awards)

Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by Barford + Co, chartered surveyors

Business Person of the Year Award, sponsored by Leeds Day, solicitors

Employer of the Year Award, sponsored by the Luminus Group, social landlords

The Innovation Award, sponsored by the Greater Cambridge Partnership

Small Business of the Year, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, Huntingdonshire branch

New Business if the Year Award, sponsored by Artisan Developments (UK) Limited

Employee of the Year Award, sponsored by Piggott Black Bear, printers

Business Development Award, sponsored by HSBC Bank plc

Sustainable Development Award, sponsored by Sealed Air, packaging manufacturer

Training and Development Award, sponsored by Huntingdonshire Regional College

The Internet Award, sponsored by Archant Herts and Cambs, publishers of The Hunts Post

Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Whitmarsh Sterland, chartered accountants.

INFORMATION: Apply for an entry pack now by calling Jonathan Tewson 01480 443470 or Carol Gray 01438 866023, or enter online at www.cambs24.co.uk/businessawards.