THE winners of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's 1997 East Lancashire Business Awards have been chosen - but you will have to wait until next month's gala presentation for their names.

A final judging session was held this week and our panel of experts has decided the winners of the eight categories who will share a prize pot of more than £14,000. And to say many of the decisions were difficult would be an understatement.

"The quality of many of the entries was superb and made deciding on who should win an agonising task for the judges," said Peter Butterfield, editor of the Evening Telegraph and non-voting chairman of the judging panel.

"Overall we were very impressed with this year's standard and all the finalists can feel proud of what they have achieved."

This year's awards attracted a record number of entries and the cash prizes are on offer are the largest yet, thanks to generous sponsorship from Farleys solicitors, the Europrint Group, Lancashire Enterprises and ELTEC.

The gala presentation night is being held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel on June 27. Guest speaker will be former Blackburn Rovers star and now sports shop tycoon David Whelan.

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