ENTRIES have been flooding in for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph East Lancashire Business Awards.

But because many of you have asked for more time to complete applications, we have decided to extend the closing date until Friday, April 26.

If you have an entry form, complete it and send it as soon as possible. If you need a form, call our hotline on 01254 678678 ext 258.

We've had some fascinating entries including Smith & Nephew, Pendle's biggest employer, and Walter Holland & Sons of Baxenden.

But we've also had plenty of smaller firms hoping their achievements will be recognised. You don't need to have a multi-million pound turnover or employ hundreds of people to have a chance of winning one of our great prizes.

If you think your boss or work colleague has made a particular contribution, why not enter them for the Business Person of the Year category.

Perhaps your company has developed a new product or process that could qualify for the Invention/Innovation of the Year award.

Backed by Lancashire Enterprises, ELTEC and Crown Eyeglass plc, the awards are the most prestigious in the county and will culminate in a gala presentation evening at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, on June 28.

There are five categories to enter:

Company of the Year - £2,000 first prize and an engraved silver salver; £500 runners-up prize and a trophy.

Businessperson of the Year - £1,000 first prize and an engraved silver salver; £250 and a trophy for the runner-up.

Small Business of the Year (up to 50 employees) - £1,000 first prize and an engraved silver salver; £250 and a trophy for the runner-up.

Training Achievement Award - £1,000 first prize and an engraved silver salver; £250 and a trophy for the runner-up.

Invention/Innovation of the Year Award - £1,000 first prize and an engraved silver salver; £250 and a trophy for the runner-up.

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