Last chance to enter awards (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Last chance to enter awards

THE closing date to enter the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards 2004 is tomorrow.

The bank is challenging the south-west's brightest new businesses to put themselves forward in the search to find Britain's best start-up companies and the entrepreneurs who run them.

John Rendall, head of business banking at HSBC, said: "We know there are some fantastic new business stories in the south- west and we want to hear from the people behind them."

The awards are open to businesses that have been trading for less than two years and can demonstrate they have the ideas, skills and determination to succeed.

Ten finalists will share prizes worth £65,000 - including a £20,000 prize for the winner.

Judging will take place in September and the winner and runner-up will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 7.