THE South Coast Business Awards celebrates business excellence across a wide range of sectors, which make such a huge contribution to our economy.

The awards bring together the best of businesses in the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, recognising and showcasing their achievements.

There are innovative industries, both big and small, operating in fields from food to fashion, tourism to technology, employing thousands of people, exporting around the world or helping to attract visitors to our county and we aim to celebrate their achievements with these prestigious awards.

Principle sponsor Dutton Gregory and the category sponsors invite any company whose head office is based within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to enter or to be nominated.

Once received, the nominations will be considered by our judging panel and maybe subject to a “mystery shopper” visit by the category sponsor.

The judges will be looking to announce the three finalists in each category on Thursday September 30 in the Daily Echo and on our website - dailyecho.co.uk - and then a celebratory event, will conclude the awards on Thursday November 11.

The winners of each category will receive £250 of advertising in the Daily Echo or on dailyecho.co.uk.

They will also be featured in the category winners’ coverage in the Daily Echo and on dailyecho.co.uk The Business of the Year Award will be nominated to the overall winner that will be chosen by the judging panel from all the category winners.

To enter, go to dailyecho.co.uk/awards