The number of entries for this year’s East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards has broken the previous record as firms line up across the categories.

Hopefuls going for glory in the 16 categories soared by 42% on last year’s total, and beat the previous record set in 2013 by 5%.

The final count is 352, compared with 248 last year, with Director of the Year among the awards which has seen a marked rise in numbers.

Judges are now sifting through the entries to select their shortlists, and these will be whittled down to three finalists in each of the categories.

The awards, now in their 18th year, aim to recognise the best in entrepreneurial endeavour and business practice across the EADT’s circulation area.

For the fourth year running the joint main sponsors of the awards are EDF Energy and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, which are working in partnership to ensure that local firms are able to derive maximum benefit from the planned Sizewell C nuclear power station development.

Their support includes the overall Business of the Year title which, as in previous years, will be awarded to the organisation deemed “best of the best” out of all the category winners.

The awards have attracted hundreds of entries in recent years and the black-tie gala presentation evening has become an important fixture in the region’s business calendar, with this year’s ceremony taking place at Trinity Park, Ipswich, on Thursday, July 9.

Former BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Terry Baxter, who is now chief executive of Inspire Suffolk and chairman of Ipswich Central, will again be hosting the ceremony.

The three selected finalists in each category will receive places at the event. Other people interested in attending can pre-register for tickets at the awards website.

The EADT would like to extend its thanks to EDF Energy and Suffolk Chamber for their continued support, and also to all our other category sponsors, many of which have also been supporting the awards for many years while others are new for 2015.

East Anglian Daily Times editor Terry Hunt said: “I’m thrilled that the number of entries for this year’s awards has broken all records. I look forward to the judges having a really tough task in narrowing down a brilliant field!”

John Dugmore, chief executive at Suffolk Chamber, said it was “great news” for business and for the awards.

“It is an indicator that firms across our region are working harder than ever, are being more successful than ever and are rightly wanting to share in that success with others.” he said.

“It also means the quality of entries will be higher and this year’s awards will once again showcase the very best East Anglia has to offer.”