JUDGES of this year's Hive Awards have admitted that the competition was fierce for this year's gongs.

Entrants impressed judges with submissions and gave the panel a lot to think about at Ewood Park when they made their final pitches.

But the final decisions have been made and anticipation is building ahead of the awards ceremony on July 5 at King George's Hall in Blackburn.

Danny Davis, steering group member, said: “The sheer volume and calibre of entrants this year are stronger than ever and I'm sure we're in for another great night at the 2018 Hive Awards.

"It just goes to show with the amount of entries this year that the borough of Blackburn with Darwen is thriving and the awards rightly celebrates their achievements.

"Personally I am very much looking forward to the awards evening on July 5 with our very own Blackburn talent Tez Ilyas as our host.

"These awards really are a true celebration of the hard work from individuals and business in the area.

"Tickets are already moving at an incredible pace, we've no doubt the night itself will be a sell out.”

There are a number of businesses who have been shortlisted multiple times including Unit 2 Fitness for Women, Curtis Law and Watson Ramsbottom Ltd.

Leanne Procter, Owner of Unit 2 Fitness for Women, which has been open for six years, was delighted with her businesses success.

She said: "It’s such an honour to be up for for three of this year's Hive Business Awards. And to be shortlisted along with such well known local companies is amazing, we are just a small backstreet women’s gym.

"Fingers crossed for all of the finalists involved."

Watson Ramsbottom has been shortlisted in three categories this year, the Growth Business Award, Large Business of the Year as well as the Professional Services Award.

Phillip Thompson, Managing Director commented: “We are delighted that the business has been shortlisted for the HIVE Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards. We are extremely proud of the team we have here at Watson Ramsbottom. They go above and beyond in everything they do and it’s great that these efforts are being recognised.

"We look forward to the awards evening in July, and hope to be successful on the night to highlight to all across Blackburn and Darwen our commitment to exceptional client service.”

Here are the shortlisted entries in each of the categories:

THE CREATIVE AND DIGITAL AWARD

Bigtank Video Productions Ltd

eBusiness UK Ltd

Flood Studio Ltd

Infused Media Ltd

THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AWARD

Curtis Law Solicitors LLP

Intelligent Payroll Limited

Napthens LLP

Watson Ramsbottom Ltd

THE HEALTH WELLBEING AND SOCIAL CARE AWARD

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust

Cryo Express Limited

Unit 2 Fitness for Women

THE BUZZ AWARD

Action Factory Community Arts

Blackburn Festival of Light CIC

Blackburn Rovers Football Club

Festival of Making CIC

THE MANUFACTURING, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE AWARD

Darwen Terracotta

eBusiness UK Ltd

Flavour Warehouse (Vampire Vape)

Rotalube

The Making Rooms

THE FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD

Bryan Lee Building Contractors LTD

eBusiness UK Ltd

Essential Employment Limited

Pulford Farm Dairies

THE COMMITMENT TO BLACKBURN AND DARWEN AWARD

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust

Bootstrap Enterprises

Secret Santa Ltd

Unit 2 Fitness for Women

THE INVESTING IN FUTURE SKILLS AWARD

Abbey Telecom

Bryan Lee Building Contractors LTD

Granby Marketing Services Limited

Lancashire Deaf Service

THE GROWTH BUSINESS AWARD

Curtis Law Solicitors LLP

Flavour Warehouse (Vampire Vape)

Gemini GRP Ltd

Watson Ramsbottom Ltd

THE NEW BUSINESS AWARD (LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD)

Cryo Express Limited

Infused Media Ltd

Rugbytots Blackburn with Darwen

S&H Group

THE HIVE BUSINESS SCHOOL AWARD

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Empine Group Ltd

Primary Engineer

THE HIVE RISING STAR AWARD (UNDER 30 YEARS OLD)

Elizabeth Bridges - Taylors Solicitors LLP

Philip Johnson - Pierce Ca Ltd

Thomas Macpherson-Pope - The Making Rooms

Melanie Thomas - Blackburn Youth Zone

THE HIVE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Daniel Brearley - Bryan Lee Building Contractors LTD

Laura Diffey - The Mall Blackburn

Aaron Gorton - Vampire Vape

HIVE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (1-50 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES)

Abbey Telecom

Blutex Office Express Ltd

Gemini GRP Ltd

Lancashire Confidential Shredding

Primary Engineer

S&H Group

Stones Young

Unit 2 Fitness for Women

HIVE LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (51+ FULL TIME EMPLOYEES)

Curtis Law Solicitors LLP

Flavour Warehouse (Vampire Vape)

Granby Marketing Services Limited

Watson Ramsbottom Ltd

OVERALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award will be presented on the night to one of the shortlisted businesses

THE ARTE ET LABORE AWARD

This award recognises a long-term commitment by an individual to making Blackburn and Darwen a more prosperous borough and a better place to live, learn, work, visit and invest. This award will be announced on the night.

THE HIVE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD

The recipient of this award will be selected by the chairman of Hive and announced on the night.