FIVE businesses from the Basingstoke borough have been shortlisted for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable business Awards 2004.

Basingstoke companies Value-form Ltd, Voller Energy, Raynesway Construction Southern and Greenhouse Graphics will be among the businesses and organisations that will be assessed prior to the finals in June. Chineham's IT Power has also been short-listed.

The awards, now in their second year, aim to recognise businesses that contribute to sustainable development and to highlight examples of achievement and best practice in encouraging businesses, and other organisations, to adopt a sustainable approach to their operations.

In addition, special awards are given for a particular achievement, project or innovative practice. These include sustainable design, water conservation, energy efficiency, community involvement, waste minimisation, sustainable transport and supply chain management.

Raynesway Construction Southern has been shortlisted in the large business category, while Greenhouse Graphics and IT Power have been shortlisted in the small business category.

Valueform and Voller Energy have been shortlisted for the Environmental Innovation and Technology award, which is sponsored by Business Link Wessex.

Assessment visits are now taking place for the 24 shortlisted entrants. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, June 10, at the Great Hall, Winchester, when Southampton-born television presenter and champion of the environment Chris Packham will present the awards.

Maureen Newton, deputy chief executive of awards organiser for Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "The judging panel is going to have a difficult job when it sets out to choose an overall winner from such a high standard of entries."

Winners and runners-up of the business categories will go through to the SEEDA South East Sustainable Business Awards in November.