BUSINESS support organisations in East Lancashire are being offered a last chance to enter a national competition with a top prize of £5,000.

The Best for Business Awards are run by telecommunications company One2One and are designed to reward best practice in developing small firms.

Public and private sector organisations have until June 24 to sumbit their entries. Any initiative, from a simple leaflet on using the Internet to a multi-million-pound project to put the heart back into local business, is eligible.

A shortlist of three will be selected for each of the 12 regional finals which will take place in September. Regional winners will go forwards to the national final which will be held at Stratford-upon-Avon on October 19.

Organisations wanting further information should call the Best for Business helpline, Tel: 08000 956 7179.