Local firms' prize night THE BOLTON & BURY BUSINESS AWARDS 2001 THIS year's Bolton and Bury Business Awards contest reaches its climax tonight at the Reebok Stadium.

The 650 people at the sell-out dinner will find out which companies and individuals share the £41,000 in prize money available to winners and runners-up across the 15 award categories.

Organisers Bolton Business Ventures have now staged this prestigious event for nine years.

A departure this year is a special award -- sponsored by the Bolton Evening News and Bury Times -- in memory of popular businessman Tony Rink, who died just before Christmas, 1999.

The trophy will go to a nominated business person who has given generously of his or her time and talents to a community initiative outside mainstream business activities.

The BEN/BT will make a donation to the appropriate charity or not-for-profit organisation involved.

This story will be featured in Monday's BEN and our usual comprehensive Awards supplement will appear on Wednesday.