ENTRIES are invited for the Best New Business Awards Tees Valley.

Firms ranging from transport logistics to mobile communications companies and from hairdressers to cutting edge businesses have entered the awards in previous years.

Dangerous goods specialists Evolution Forwarding won the award two years ago.

Based on the Skippers Lane Industrial Estate in Middlesbrough, the freight forwarding business achieved a ten-fold increase in export turnover to almost £750,000 in just two years.

Terry Goldspink, managing director, said: "We entered the Best New Business Awards to raise our profile – and it definitely did that.

"On the back of winning the main awards, we gained some additional business in and around Teesside too, and business continues to grow month-on-month.

"On the back of a phenomenal 2014 that saw us top the £1 million mark for turnover, we’re still adding customers every week, though the economic uncertainty in Europe this year hasn’t helped."

He urged other young Tees Valley businesses to enter the BNBA awards, which offer £500 to category winners and an additional £1,000 for the overall winner.

"The way I see it, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain," he said. "Winning an award – or even being shortlisted – can only be good for publicity and boost your credibility with potential customers."

Colin Brown, of Lighthouse Advisory Services, has organised the awards for the past 15 years as a way of inspiring and rewarding enterprise across the region.

Categories include creative and digital media; engineering, manufacturing and sustainability; marketing and online selling; retail High Street; service; small business; young entrepreneur.

Businesses which have opened within the past three years – since June 30, 2012 – are eligible to enter for the awards which take place at the Riverside Stadium. Visit bestnewbusinessawards.com for further details and entry forms.