FIFTEEN Bolton area companies have applied for details of next year's Queen's Award for Enterprise competition.

The awards are given for exceptional achievements in international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

There is still time for others to apply -- the closing date is October 31 this year.

David Moore, Queen's Awards Secretary, said: "We're delighted by this response from firms in the Bolton area and hope that other local businesses will also now rise to the challenge of The Queen's Awards 2003.

"Any firm of merit can enter, and size is irrelevant. Nearly a third of the 2002 winners have fewer than 50 employees."

The Queen's Awards website is at www.queensawards.org.uk

"There's a misconception that only big companies can apply for a Queen's Award.