ONE of the premier events in the Bolton and Bury business calendar is back.

The Bolton and Bury Business Awards 2007, brought to you by The Bolton News and the Bury Times in association with Business Bolton, are launched today.

There are 10 award categories, covering every facet of business achievement and enterprise for companies of all sizes, and the all-important individuals who make them the success they are.

We are looking for the business or the individual who has put Bolton or Bury on the map, making that vital contribution to the area's economy over the last 12 months.

The categories are Technology, Innovation and Design, Customer Excellence, Training, Family Business, Start-Up Business, Small Business, Young Entrepreneur, Business Person of the Year and Business of the Year.

And this year sees the introduction of a new award - the Environmental Best Practice Award, to reflect increasing awareness of sustainability issues for large and small businesses.

A panel of distinguished judges will choose the overall winners from the shortlist of three finalists in each category.

Winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony to be held in the Premier Suite in the De Vere Whites Hotel at the Reebok Stadium on Thursday, June 28, hosted by BBC Radio Five Live broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire.

Sponsors of the awards and the event already include Business Bolton, Clough and Willis Solicitors, The Royal Bank of Scotland, CLB Coopers, Warburtons, KBL Solicitors and Empiredirect.co.uk.

Keith Davies, Bolton Council's director of Regeneration and Development, said: "The Business Bolton brand signifies the bringing together of all the services for business that were provided by different agencies, and we decided that a prestigious event like the Bolton and Bury Business Awards would be the perfect platform to help get the message across."

Business Bolton is also the sponsor of the newest award category, Environmental Best Practice. Mr Davies said: "This is becoming an increasingly vital part of business thinking, and we at Business Bolton wanted to make sure that companies spearheading the drive towards greater sustainability were recognised for their efforts. I'm looking forward to a fantastic evening."

Dave Jones, Director of Commercial Banking at the Royal Bank of Scotland, which is again sponsoring the Business of the Year Award, said: "Across Bolton and Bury, there is a thriving business community underpinned by an embedded entrepreneurial culture and this event represents a first-class opportunity for successful local businesses to be recognised by their peers and professional advisers."

"I have no doubt that, as last year, this years entries across every catagory will be of the highest calibre, reflecting the quality of the local business community."

The impact of business, industry and commerce on all our lives is often overlooked and taken for granted, even though we are all involved in one way or another as employees, customers or suppliers.

These awards are a chance put that right and give the best firms and their workforces the rewards and recognition they deserve.

There are many benefits of entering, being short-listed or winning an award. All the entries are judged by a panel of top business people and professional advisers, thereby increasing the visibility of your business.

Being short-listed or winning helps motivate staff, increase customer confidence and raise your profile among potential customers.

Winners will receive an engraved cut-glass award and the right to use the award winner's logo on letterheads and marketing collateral.

But you cannot win it without being in it. Entering the awards this year could not be more simple. A straightforward online form can be accessed at the address on these pages.

So ensure your business and its employees enter so that your success stories can be heralded.

To enter, simply log on to www.boltonandburybusinessawards.co.uk for an entry form.