TWO East Lancashire firms have been nominated for top gongs at the National Business Awards.

The owners of Craggs Energy, in Padiham, and Roaming Roosters, in Higham, will travel to London next week in the hope of returning north with silverware.

Both companies beat off competition from hundreds of other entrants across the UK to reach the top 10 in their respective categories.

Craggs Energy, which supplies heating oils, agricultural fuels and renewable energy, has been shortlisted for New Business of the Year along with nine other hopefuls.

Managing director Chris Bingham said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award; it’s great to see our name on a national scale, particularly when we work in an industry with several large international competitors.”

Sustainable food company Roaming Roosters, which, like Craggs Energy, is family-run, has been nominated for High Growth Business of the Year.

Simon Mellin, who runs the business with his younger brother, Nick, said: “This is a fantastic accolade for us, and just seeing some of the household names we are up against for the award demonstrates how tough a task it is to get to this stage.”

The 12th National Business Awards, organised by public, private and third sector organisations, will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Westminter, on November 12.

Craggs took over the former Samuel Cooke and Co site in Wyre Street, Padiham, when Cooke Fuels went into administration in August 2012.

Roaming Roosters opened its farm shop and bistro in Barrowford Road in 2012.

It has won wide praise for its children’s education centre, which teaches young people about the part played by animals in the food chain.