THE starting pistol has been fired in the race to find brilliant businesses in the borough.

The 2004-2005 Basingstoke business Awards were launched this week and they are set to be the biggest and most prestigious ever.

Eight award categories, targeting entrepreneurial excellence in the borough, were announced when several of the sponsors turned out at Highclere Castle.

The stunning castle was chosen for the launch event because it will host the local business "Oscars" on April 27 next year.

The coveted gongs will be handed out at a black tie dinner and Champagne reception.

Cllr Paul Harvey, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cabinet member for employment, skills and learning, urged all businesses in the area to get involved with the awards.

He said: "We have one of the strongest and most successful business communities in the South East.

"These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the role businesses play in making the borough such a vibrant place to live and work, and in creating close links with the local community."

Cllr Harvey added: "I would encourage our borough-based organisations to enter. This will not only raise the profile of the borough in the region and highlight the innovation here, but also gain very well-deserved recognition for their own business successes."

The honours include The Carbon Trust-sponsored Environmental Award, the Barclays Asset Finance-sponsored Small Business of the Year Award, the new C & C Technology-sponsored Technology, Innovation and Enterprise Award, the Gazette Newspapers-sponsored Business in the Community Award, the HSBC-sponsored Contribution to the Economy Award, and the Hampshire County Council-sponsored Supporting the Rural Community Award.

Also up for grabs are the New Business of the Year and Business Excellence Through People awards. Sponsors for these are being finalised.

Whitchurch-based C & C Technology has come on board as sponsor of a brand-new award after being a finalist in the Contribution to the Economy category at the last ceremony, in March.

The Environmental Award is now in its second year and has gone a long way to putting Basingstoke as the top region in the South East for seeking advice on ways to reduce the effects of commercial activity on the environment, according to Gary Foster, the south east manager for The Carbon Trust.

Also new to the sponsor list is The Royal Bank of Scotland, which is supporting the Champagne reception on the evening. Paul Marston, The Royal Bank of Scotland's director of commercial banking, based in Basingstoke, will be chairman of the judging panel.

Finalists and winners will benefit from extensive publicity and gain recognition as being among Basingstoke's top companies. The spin-offs include impressing clients as well as staff motivation.

Entry to the Basingstoke Business Awards is free, quick and simple.

Applicants must complete an entry form, filling in their answers against the points listed under the judging criteria, before the deadline of February 28, 2005.

Entries can be submitted via the Basingstoke and Deane Business Awards website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/business/awards which has detailed information about categories.

Postal entry packs are available from Sara Clark by calling 01494 520584 or e-mailing sara.clark@blinkgroup.co.uk