NOMINATIONS are flooding in for the south’s prestigious awards which honour women making a difference across the county.

Organiser Tara Howard said women and men are already getting into the spirit of the awards and telling judges just why women they know deserve to be recognised for their hard work.

The Daily Echo-backed NatWest Venus Awards were launched at De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, where the Mayor of Southampton, category sponsors, and the movers and shakers of the county’s business world crowded in for the announcement.

But nominations are still open and everyone can voice who they want to see at the glitzy ceremony in June.

The city’s top female entrepreneurs, bosses and employees will this year be honoured in 12 exciting award categories.

From top bosses to the supermums who juggle their business success with bringing up a family, the awards are open to all women.

The Daily Echo will again sponsor the Business Mother of the Year award, which pays homage to the extraordinary role played by women both at the workplace and at home.

Tara, mum-of-four and businesswoman who runs Langtry Manor, said: “It really is inspiring to see how much support and enthusiasm there is for the awards.

“I am passionate about recognising the efforts and achievements of women in business, I’ve had women say to me that the awards have ‘changed their life’ and I am determined to give women access to the awards in other regions across the country and then, who knows.”

Tara added: “Whether you have a female colleague, friend, relative, employee, client or acquaintance that works hard, earn yourself some ‘brownie points’ and nominate them today – it just takes five minutes and makes a real difference.”

l To enter, all you have to do is to nominate your favourite working woman in the SO postcode region including Winchester, Romsey and Lymington at southampton.

venusawards.co.uk before March 22.

This year’s 12 categories will be judged by the sponsors with three categories, including the Daily Echo Business Mother of the Year award, being voted for by readers.

Finalists will be invited along to the awards ceremony in June, where the winners will be announced.