A WORCESTER firm is in the running to be the British Small Business Champion of 2005.

The presentation and communication company DRP Group, based in Hartlebury, has been selected as a regional finalist and will be going forward to compete against five other central region businesses to see who will be crowned local and, later, national winner.

With both the 2003 and 2004 national award going to firms from the North of England, the question is whether firms from this region can stop their Northern counterparts from completing a hat-trick of wins.

Dale Parmenter, managing director of DRP Group, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, said: "This is the first time we have entered this award and we're really pleased to be short-listed.

"When you consider the size of the central region, it is a great honour indeed and it will boost morale and business."

The finalists for the central region category were selected by expert judges from Lloyds TSB, the Federation of Small Businesses, and The Daily Mirror.

Stephen Pegge for Lloyds TSB Business, said: "The quality of entries from this region was exceptionally high.

"Choosing six finalists from such a wealth of businesses deserving recognition and reward was very difficult.

"DRP Group has done exceptionally well to get this far and is a shining example of what a small firm can achieve for itself, its staff and its local community."

The winner for the Central region, to be announced on Wednesday, September 28, will go head to head with other UK winners at the final in Claridge's, London, on Tuesday, November 15.

The overall winner will be crowned British Small Business Champion 2005 and will win a tailor-made business trip to New York.

The composters and gardening firm Wiggly Wigglers, of Blakemere, Herefordshire, is also a finalist.