THE closing date for the 2006 Anglian Business Awards is now only two days away. Sponsored for the third year running by Bank of Scotland Corporate, the awards have gained the reputation of being among the most prestigious in the Eastern region with past winners earning well-deserved plaudits and recognition as a result of their success.

THE closing date for the 2006 Anglian Business Awards is now only two days away.

Sponsored for the third year running by Bank of Scotland Corporate, the awards have gained the reputation of being among the most prestigious in the Eastern region with past winners earning well-deserved plaudits and recognition as a result of their success.

As the deadline of Thursday, October 12, draws ever nearer, the awards' dedicated email has been busy receiving an influx of online entries. If previous years are anything to go by, it is likely to remain active over the next 48 hours as applicants submit entries right up to the last minute either online, by hand and by special mail delivery.

So if you have a success story to shout about, don't miss the chance to compete in this year's awards and promote your organisation to the local business community.

There are 14 awards' categories this year: Start-Up Business sponsored by Gotelee & Goldsmith, Innovation & Technology sponsored by White Space Design, Export Achievement sponsored by Sackers, Outstanding Customer Service sponsored by one, Environment sponsored by EDF Energy Networks, Small Business of the Year sponsored by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Business Development sponsored by Grant Thornton, Rural Business sponsored by the Environment Agency, Training & Development sponsored by Learning & Skills Council, Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Suffolk College, Community Involvement sponsored by Adnams, Marketing sponsored by Anglia IT Recruitment, Young Business Person sponsored by IP-City Centre, and Dynamic Website sponsored by MCP.

Once again, the judges will shortlist three entries for each award, and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner held at the Trinity Park Conference Centre in Ipswich on Thursday, November 16. The dinner is hosted this year by BBC Look East presenter Stewart White and includes a star-turn performance by popular TV comedian Jon Culshaw.

Also announced on the evening is the overall winner of the Anglian Business of the Year award, sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate, which is selected from the 14 category winners. Last year the top honour went to Green Label Foods from Debach, owners of the Gressingham Duck brand, who also won the Business Development award.

For details of how to submit your last minute entry, call Jo Reeder on 01473 324882 for an entry pack, email anglianbusinessawards@eadt.co.uk or visit www.eadt.co.uk/business awards.