Some of Norwich's fastest growing companies have been nominated for awards as a way of putting the city on the map as a good place to do business.Norwich City Council has chosen nine of the city's most dynamic companies to be considered for the Inner City 100 Index, which tracks and makes awards to fast-growing businesses in inner-city areas across the UK.

Some of Norwich's fastest growing companies have been nominated for awards as a way of putting the city on the map as a good place to do business.

Norwich City Council has chosen nine of the city's most dynamic companies to be considered for the Inner City 100 Index, which tracks and makes awards to fast-growing businesses in inner-city areas across the UK.

As patron of Inner City 100, Chancellor Gordon Brown invites all 100 winners to a cocktail reception at 11 Downing Street, and they receive publicity in the Financial Times.

The index enables success stories of inner-city companies and areas to be analysed and shared.

Commenting on Norwich City Council's choice, executive member for enterprise Brian Watkins said: "These companies have been chosen because of their high levels of growth in recent years. Successful companies receive a ranking in the Inner City 100 Index and may also go on to receive an award, such as the 'young entrepreneur' or 'female entrepreneur' categories."

Last year, Regional Car Parks, based in Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, was ranked 61 on the index and received the national award for most enterprising company in the East of England.

The car park operator had achieved sales growth over five years of 284pc. Brothers Ardeshir and Shapoor Naghshineh started the business with one car park in Edward Street, Norwich, in 1994 and by last year had grown to 23 car parks nationwide.

This year's Norwich companies nominated by the city council are:

Central Trust - based at The Atrium and Stannard Place, Central Trust is a finance broker and lender which has recently expanded into providing mortgage brokering facilities. The firm acts as an intermediary between the borrowing public and banks, matching different financial products to the banks' customers.

Imago Productions - this TV production company, based in Prince of Wales Road, has created programmes including Mistresses for ITV1, Killer Queens for Anglia TV, a wide range of wildlife documentaries, and has a new series, Grudge Match, in production for Channel 4.

Archant - one of the leading independent regional newspaper and magazine owners in the UK, the publisher of the EDP operates across England and Scotland, from Devon to Aberdeenshire.

Studio Soup - a creative independent digital communications agency. Clients include Fujifilm, Norwich Union, Start-rite Shoes and Virgin Drink.

Signs Express - the UK and Ireland's largest signs company with 74 franchises nationwide.

Fox Murphy - a marketing communications agency whose clients include Barclays, Duracell, Tie Rack and Disney.

Moneyfacts - based in Thorpe Road, Moneyfacts is the UK's largest provider of personal finance data. Charts by Moneyfacts can be seen throughout the UK press and media, including the EDP each Saturday.

Eastern Video Group - set up in 1987 filming weddings and corporate videos, it is acknowledged as a world leader in on-board camera tech-nology for motorsport. It is also a worldwide supplier of sub-sea and downhole cameras and inspection systems.

Strategic Marketing and Research Consultants - serving local and national companies, SMRC works with clients to develop products, advertising and branding.