LOCAL firms still have time to enter this year's Platinum Awards for Business Excellence.

The director of the firm that was overall winner of last year's event has urged other companies to enter.

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Gill Gwilliam, director of the Spring Lane based company, said winning the award was "tremendous" and had raised the firm's profile with schools in the area.

"We were always a nationwide company, but we hadn't done that many schools in the area and a lot of business came our way as a result of winning the award," she said.

Using the Platinum Awards logo has also benefited the company.

"Whether local or national having won an award for business excellence is fantastic for us and we've used it constantly," said Mrs Gwilliam.

Entries for the awards, run by Malvern Hills District Council in association with the Malvern Gazette, close on March 4.

At the finals at Malvern Theatres on April 12, category winners will receive £500 and the overall winner will scoop £1,000.

To enter, visit www. malvernhills.gov.uk for information and to download an application form or contact Simon Rusling on 01684 862411.