PUBLIC voting has now opened for one of Worcestershire's top business competitions.

Entrepreneurs and start up businesses will now be hoping to attract support for the Worcestershire Business Awards, which will take place on Wednesday, November 19 at Worcester's Sixways stadium.

A total of 45 nominations were received in the awards, which have been established as part of the Enterprising Worcestershire Business Support Programme. Judges have selected three finalists in each of the six categories. The public vote, which accounts for 25 per cent of the total score, will close at 5pm on Friday, October 31. It will then be added to the judges’ scores to determine the overall winner.

David Smith, Enterprising Worcestershire programme manager, said: “These awards are a great way for us to celebrate the success of local entrepreneur and recognise their achievements and contribution to the local business economy. We received a great range of nominations and I am looking forward to celebrating their success at the awards ceremony in November."

Each winner will receive an IPad and will be presented with a trophy at the award ceremony which will be hosted by Free Radio Breakfast show DJs Hursty and Helen. Keynote speaker will be David Hyner, director of Stretch Development Ltd, a research based training provider to the corporate and education sectors and home of professional speakers for events. Mr Hyner will be drawing on his 17 years experience of research interviews with top achievers in the world of sport, music, arts and enterprise to deliver a highly entertaining and inspirational talk on how entrepreneurs can achieve their business goals.

Catherine Bray, Enterprising Worcestershire area manager, added: "We hope the aAwards will encourage and inspire those who maybe thinking of starting a new businesses or becoming self-employed to seek the free expert knowledge, support and advice available through the Enterprising Worcestershire programme.”

The finalists are:

Creative business - Bubblicious Soaps, Droitwich, Subtone Ltd, Worcester and The Sunday Girl Company Ltd , Kidderminster.

Ethical trading business - Children Always First Foster Care, Bromsgrove, Dyspraxia Education Ltd, Worcester and Greengineering Ltd, Kidderminster.

Growth - Bubilicious Soaps, Cake Doctor, Stourport on Severn and Deli@Pershore, Pershore

High street business - Subtone Ltd, Deli@Pershore and Videodrome Ltd, Kidderminster

Most innovative b - Besurance Ltd, Eckington, Starchipenterprise, Evesham and The Sunday Girl Company Ltd.

New start up business - Flyford Food Company, Flyford Flavell, Severn Mile Cookery & Events, Redditch and The Sunday Girl Company Ltd