WILTSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS: The final countdown to the Wiltshire Business of the Year awards is on.

With less than three weeks until our glittering evening it's time to get out the posh frocks and tuxedos.

The date is Friday, February 24, the venue is the De Vere Hotel in Shaw Ridge Swindon, and the excitement is mounting.

The finalists for the awards started the celebration at our cocktail party just before Christmas.

And, now, the judging to pick out the winners is complete, although nothing can be revealed until the gala dinner.

Categories include the small business of the year section, as well as awards for innovation and growth, and training and development.

In addition, there are awards for outstanding excellence and for the entrepreneur of the year.

Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards organiser Clare Hamilton-Eddy, who is also the business sales manager for Wiltshire Business, is absolutely thrilled.

She said: "Each year the standards just get higher and higher, and the competition much more fierce.

"Winning one of these awards is just like an Oscar to a Wiltshire business and we're delighted to be able to host them."

More than 250 guests will be attending the ceremony which will include the cream of the county's business leaders, MPs and other dignitaries.