THEY are back!

The Bolton and Bury Business Awards are live and it is a chance for businesses, large or small to enter and walk off with one of the ten prestigious titles.

This year is the tenth year of the awards which have become a popular date on the calendar. The glittering awards ceremony and dinner will be at the Macron Stadium on Thursday, September 10.

Once again Bolton Council and the University of Bolton are headlines sponsors.

There are 10 categories to enter including a new one this year — Retailer of the Year sponsored by The Market Place which is undergoing a multi-million pound revamp to include a cinema and new restaurants in the Victorian vaults, all scheduled to open before Christmas.

We also have three new sponsors joining us this year.

The other awards are: Business of the Year, sponsored again by Stateside Foods; SME of the Year which has attracted a new sponsor in Willmot Dixon Construction Ltd which is heavily involved in town centre projects; Apprentice/Young Person of the Year again sponsored by missile company MBDA of Lostock which is one of the country's leading companies for its apprentices.

Well known Bolton business, Carrs Pasties is sponsoring the Family Business of the Year and another well established Bolton business which now has restaurants all over the north, The Chinese Buffet is looking for a winner in the Customer Excellence category.

Best Company for Apprentice Development, Business Person of the Year; Start Up Business and the We're Backing Bolton/Bury award make up the rest of the categories.

It is easy to enter, just click on the link http://www.newsquestnorthwest.co.uk/business-awards.html which is open now.

Fill in the entry form and send it back. Closing date is Friday, July 10.

Entrants who want to submit any further evidence or testimonials can do so by contacting Lynn Ashwell, Deputy Editor on 01204 537277 or email lynn.ashwell@nqnw.co.uk

We look forward to a great night in September when the best of Bolton and Bury businesses will be crowned.