THE 1999 Lancashire Area West Business Awards competition draws to an exciting climax at a high profile ceremony in Chorley next week (Thursday, March 25).

The Park Hall Hotel is the venue for the prestigious LAWTEC-organised event which recognises the achievement of local organisations and rewards them for their commitment to business excellence.

Companies will compete for £5,000 prize money across five categories:

The Barclays New Business of the Year Award.

The BTBusinessconnections Award for Innovation.

The Chamber of Commerce Award for Export Achievement.

The Leyland Trucks Award for Business Excellence Through People.

The Business and Education in Partnership Award.

Three hundred and fifty key business people and local dignitaries will attend next Thursday, March 25, with representatives of each of the sponsors presenting a trophy and a cheque for £1,000 to the winners.

The awards will be compared by BBC TV presenter Felicity Goodey, with England cricket team coach David Lloyd as guest speaker.

Tony Bickerstaffe, managing director of LAWTEC, said: "The competition has attracted interest from a wide range of local companies, all committed to business excellence.

"The presentation dinner will celebrate the achievements of all these companies in the pursuits of success and will be one of the highlights in this year's business calendar in Lancashire Area West.

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