By PAT GILL BOLTON

COMPANIES in the town have an opportunity to compete in the Warrington Business Awards, which are being organised for the second year running by the Warrington Guardian and Business Link, Warrington.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Park Royal International Hotel on June 7 and thousands of pounds worth of prizes are up for grabs.

Every company which enters will receive publicity in the Warrington Guardian.

There are seven categories, two of which have been introduced this year. These are the retail award, which will appeal to the town's shops, stores and other outlets, and the social responsibility award, which will attract companies wanting to show that they care about the community and the environment.

The other categories are effective training, export achievement, entrepreneur of the year, start up business of the year and innovation and research.

The winner of one of the categories will be chosen as the Business of the Year, with a prize consisting of a trophy, a £1,500 business support package from Business Link, a £500 cheque from the Warrington Guardian, publicity in the Guardian and on our Internet site, and a corporate identity day worth £1,000 provided by Dimension Creative Services, Bewsey Road, Warrington.

Prizes in each category will consist of a trophy, a £200 business support package from Business Link and a £150 cheque from the Warrington Guardian.

Support has been shown for the awards by companies and organisations in the town.

The reception at the dinner will be supported by Warrington Borough Council. Paddington House Hotel, winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year category at last year's business awards, is sponsoring the start up category this year.

The training category is being sponsored by North and Mid Cheshire TEC, entrepreneur of the year by Ridgway Greenall solicitors, export by the economic development team at the International Business Centre, retail by Legal and General, social responsibility by BNFL and innovation by BT.

Forms are available from the reception area at the Warrington Guardian, the Academy, Bridge Street, Warrington, or by ringing Clare McCann at the Guardian on 01925 434091 or Business Link on 01925 715000. You can also enter on the Internet. A form can be found on the Warrington Business Awards website, by logging on at www.thisischeshire.co.uk

The closing date is Friday, April 20, 2001. The completed forms should be sent to: Business Awards Committee, Business Link, International Business Centre, Delta Crescent, Westbrook, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 7WQ. The speaker at the Warrington Business Awards dinner will be Dr Kevin Jones, whose amusing stories come from the world of medicine. Master of ceremonies will be Bob Williams, head of communications with Warrington Borough Council. Tickets for the dinner cost £20, or £180 for a table for 10. Reservations can be made with Janette Bolton on 01925 434215.