A SET of awards have been launched to search for excellence in Lancashire firms using IT and digital technology.

The Big Chip Awards 2006 will have five regional categories, covering the North West, including one for Lancashire.

Now in its eighth year, the awards include 20 other prize categories including Best Not-for-Profit Project and Best Digital Marketing Campaign.

The awards, organised by Manchester Digital, the trade association for the region's digital industry sector, are open to any organisation based in the North West that has run a digital project in the past year.

Last year's winners included Leyland-based iknow-uk, an online business running accommodation finding websites.

Entries can be submitted free online at www.bigchipawards.com. The closing date is Monday, March 13, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 24 in Manchester.