THE date has been set for the biggest business awards ceremony in Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

The annual Chamber Awards, now in their sixth year, are due to be held on Thursday, June 21, 2007, when the star performers of the local business world will be honoured.

Last year saw a record 68 entries for the competition which is organised by the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and over the years almost 100 companies from the two counties have stepped up to the podium to collect their trophy.

Categories will again cover a range of core business areas and there will be an overall Business of the Year award.

The 2006 Business of the Year was Oakland International Ltd of Redditch, a fast-growing storage, packing and logistics company run by husband and wife Dean and Sallie Attwell.

Companies of all sizes and ages and from all industry sectors can enter but they must be chamber members. Chamber chief executive Christine Jones said the awards were a celebration of business in all its forms.

She added: "The Chamber Awards have literally grown every single year since we held the first ceremony and it is heartening to see so many excellent companies stepping forward and having their day in the sun. The venue for the 2007 Chamber Awards is yet to be announced but there are many different opportunities for companies to become involved."

AND THE CATEGORIES ARE...

This year's Chamber Award categories are: * Business of the Year.

* Most Promising New Business.

* Innovation Through Technology.

* Commitment in the Community.

* Entrepreneur of the Year.

* Award for Skills Development.

* Excellence in Tourism.

* Employee of the Year.

For more information about the Chamber Awards 2007 telephone Lynne Marshall on 0845 641 1535.