THE best in the business will go head to head this year for the chance to win a prestigious Wiltshire Business of the Year award.

The annual awards ceremony – which this year marks 22 years of celebrating entrepreneurial enterprise in the county – was officially launched at Thrings Solicitors in Swindon yesterday.

With the backing of Thrings Solicitors, Wiltshire College, Mainline Employment Limited, BBC Wiltshire, Baker Tilly and NatWest, businesses can now enter the leading business awards in up to three categories. This year there are eight categories.

Also, for the first time, the awards will celebrate fledgling businesses that have been founded within the last two years with the brand new category recognising start up businesses.

Launching the awards, group editor of Newsquest Wiltshire Gary Lawrence said: “We are really lucky with our sponsors – they contribute by being real advocates for business and doing so much more than we would expect. Some of them have been with us since we first launched the awards in 1993.

“Now 22 years later we are still here and the awards are bigger and better.

“You can tell how much these awards mean to people when they don’t win an award.

“For the first time this year we have a new category which I think is really great. I think it is tremendous to recognise a business that has only been going for less than two years and the very courageous steps they have taken. I am sure we will hear some great stories out of this.”

He urged firms to get their entries in quickly, and not to miss out on securing their seats for the gala dinner and awards ceremony which will be held at Longleat on Friday, April 15, 2016.

He said: “Last year all of the tickets sold out and you couldn’t get one for love nor money– it’s a bit like Glastonbury, but with better toilets.

“I would like to wish anyone thinking of entering the best of luck and we will look forward to seeing you at the awards ceremony.”

Also speaking at the breakfast launch event was Thrings partner Ramona Derbyshire, who spoke of the agonising journey that she and her fellow judges faced ahead of them having to select the final shortlist of entries.

She said: “I think the judges are the unsung heroes in all of this. Please tell us your stories – whether it makes us laugh or cry. But tell it in your own words, and have sympathy for your judges, knowing that they are going through a very difficult time. But above all – enter the awards, and we will all look forward to hearing all about your fantastic businesses.”

The closing date for entries is Friday, January 22.

To enter the awards visit wiltshirebusinessonline.co.uk/awards.