SIX borough-wide companies have been shortlisted for next month's glittering North Manchester Business Awards.

And they could be in line to win prizes in ten categories at the event to be staged at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, on Wednesday, June 9.

Prize money and trophies worth a total of £37,000 will be up for grabs at the inaugural awards, organised by Bolton Business Ventures (BBV). Companies throughout Bury, Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale and Oldham are taking part in the event.

The six local firms shortlisted from the original 110-strong entry list are: Vision Commercial Kitchens of Whitefield; Radcliffe-based Stanmore Insurance Brokers and Bury Black Pudding Company; Clock Creative Communications of Ramsbottom and two Bury companies, Intercare Employment Agency and Series 8 Ltd.

These entries and the other businesses shortlisted will now go into the final judging process. Each will be visited by business advisers from BBV to gain further information, covering key areas of operation, strategy and planning, marketing and sales, innovation, operations and resource management as well as personal skills and attributes.

The nominations will then be considered by the final judging panel, chaired by Professor Alan Kitson, director of international relations at Bolton Institute and BBV director.

The winners will be be announced at the gala dinner. Paul Davidson of BBV commented: "We are delighted with the high number of entries this year. The quality of applications has made the judging really difficult as so many of the companies are worthy of accreditation.

"We are looking forward to meeting our shortlisted businesses over the next few weeks to enable us to get to know them better. We wish them all very success."