Members of the public will be able to cast their vote for the first time in Malvern's own business Oscars.

People will be invited to pick the winner in a new category for outstanding customer service at the Platinum Awards for Business Excellence.

The awards, run by Malvern Hills District Council, will be announced on Wednesday, April 12, at Malvern Theatres.

Members of the public can nominate businesses they think deserve the customer service excellence award at the Malvern Hills Customer Service Centre on 01684 862151.

Companies that believe they provide excellent customer service are asked to encourage their clients to vote for them.

In addition to the new customer service award, there are also awards in seven other categories.

The arts excellence award has become a creative industries award, to encourage applications from a wider range of creative businesses such as architects and web and graphic designers.

Businesses started in the past 18 months are encouraged to enter the enterprise excellence category, while innovation excellence is for firms with innovative new practices and processes.

This year, the production business excellence category will be split into two sections - one for companies with 10 or fewer employees and the other for businesses with more than 10 staff.

Both business with retail premises and those online are encouraged to enter the retail excellence category, while the final category is for tourism businesses.

Each category winner will receive a plaque, the right to use the platinum awards logo on their stationery and one year's membership of The Malverns Experience.

The overall winner will also get a cheque for £500.

Businesses can enter other categories by downloading an online application form from www.malvernhills.gov.uk/ platinumawards or calling the above number to obtain a form.

Nominations and applications will be accepted from Monday (January 30). The closing date is Monday, February 27.

Businesses with queries about the awards should call Simon Rusling on 01684 862411.