THERE is just under a month left to nominate businesses and individuals for this year's Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2009.

THERE is just under a month left to nominate businesses and individuals for this year's Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2009.

The awards, which honour the success of local enterprise, return with a few changes after the success of last year's inaugural event.

New for this year is the Innovation and Skills Engaging Education Business award. The gold, silver and bronze plaques, which were proposed by Denes High School headteacher Mick Lincoln and funded through the Waveney Economic Partnership, will be presented to the top three businesses that demonstrate their commitment and engagement in working closely with schools and students, to enhance their prospects, raise their aspirations and show that there is a future for them in the area.

There are a total of 12 categories in this year's awards and this time there will be two winners in each category, catering for those employing fewer than 10 people as well as larger companies.

The awards are designed to recognise and reward business success in the region. The aim is to give something back to those successful companies which, by helping themselves, are helping the growth of the local business community.

Nominations are open until Wednesday, September 24, and entries must include a maximum 200-word piece on the background of the company and maximum 500-word piece on why the business should be considered for the category entered, taking into account the criteria specified.

Businesses can enter as many categories as they like. Judging for the prizes will be conducted independently by the award sponsors.

Awards will be presented at a ceremony at Potters Leisure Resort's new hospitality suite, Zest, at Hopton on Thursday, November 26.

For details of how to enter visit the website www.waveneychamber.co.uk/business_awards/vote/

The Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce Business Award categories:

*Waveney Economic Partnership - Innovation and Skills Engaging Education Business Award

*Business Link East - Business Start up Award

*AKD Engineering - Lean Manufacturing/Production or Building/Construction Techniques Award

*Jobcentre Plus 2009 - Diversity in Business Award

*Harrod UK - Outstanding Business of the Year Award

*Suffolk County Council - Suffolk Greenest County Environment Award

*Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council - Regeneration and Community Development Award

*Essex & Suffolk Water - Community Impact Award

*Motivation Matters - Employee of the Year Award

*Lowestoft College - Business Excellence and Innovation Award

*1st East - The Creative Lowestoft Business Investment Award

*PKF - Business Growth Award

*The Britten Shopping Centre and Lings Honda - Retail Innovation Award