ENTRIES are being sought for a competition to celebrate the best in Malvern businesses.

The annual Platinum Awards for Business Excellence, held by Malvern Hills District Council, was launched on Monday.

The awards aim to celebrate the excellence, innovation and success of firms in the area.

"We have had a fantastic response in recent years," said council leader Tom Wells.

"These have always been marvellous evenings celebrating the very best of local business enterprise. There's a lot of creativity and innovation within our local community and we want to celebrate and nurture it."

The awards are separated into seven categories.

These are: Production, retail, tourism, arts, enterprise, service business, innovation and overall winner.

Each category winner will receive £500 and a plaque, while the overall winner will receive £1,000.

The closing date for applications is Friday, March 4, when a group of judges will meet to draw up the shortlist of winners.

The winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 12 at the Malvern Theatres.

Applications are invited from any firms that pay their business rates to Malvern Hills District Council.

Anyone who is interested in applying should log onto www.malvernhills.gov.uk to download an application form or call 01684 862411.