ORGANISERS have announced the shortlist for this year's Bolton and Bury Business Awards. Total prize money of £22,000 will be distributed when the winners in eight categories are revealed at a gala dinner on Friday, May 15. This year there were more than 100 entries from businesses of all sizes - the highest number in the six years that the competition has been running.

Judges have already selected the prize winners from the 39 companies on this list, but their opinions are a secret until the dinner at the Last Drop Village Hotel in Bromley Cross.

The shortlisted companies are:

Acorn Polymers, Ian Anthony (Holdings) Ltd, Bolton Institute, Bolton and District Hospital Saturday Council, Bolton Industrial Doors, CIM Strategic Research, Cell Security Ltd, Chadwicks of Bury, Complementary Technologies Ltd, George Cox & Sons.

DDY Sports & Leisure, Danisco Pack, Bolton, Homeopathic Centre, House of Rajas Ltd, Peter Hunt's Bakery Foods, Irresistible, Keogh Ritson Solicitors, Ralph Kleeli Hair, Limelite Design Ltd, Moses Gate Welding Works Ltd.

Newleaf Workshop, PP Simtech Solutions Ltd, Panacea Professional Training, Paperchase, Powerpack, Riley & Son, Russell's Industries Ltd, SBC Abrasives, St Andrew's Travel, Scan Computers International Ltd.

Securicor Cash Services, Security Solutions Ltd, Seva Line, Star Hosiery Ltd, Vegetarian Deelite, Walsh Sports Ltd, Whitefield Fabrications Ltd, Whizzkidz, Wicks Plastics Ltd.

This year's joint main sponsors are Warner Village Cinemas and Business Link Bolton and Bury.

Tickets for the black tie dinner (£30 plus VAT) are available from Operations Executive Sylvia Philips at organisers Bolton Business Ventures (01204 391400).

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