A COMPETITION to find the area's top female entrepreneurs reaches its grand finale at the Reebok Stadium on Valentine's Day.

Organisers say there is a strong demand for the £35-a-head lunch tickets for the North Manchester Women in Business Awards, to be held on Friday, February 14.

The winner in each of seven categories will win £2,000 and a trophy. Runners-up will get £1,000 and a trophy.

Entries for the event, organised by the Bolton Business Ventures agency, were open to women who run businesses across the area covered by North Manchester Business Link -- Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan.

Bolton Business Ventures (BBV) chief executive Paul Davidson said: "I am confident that this event will not only recognise and reward the individual achievements of the successful women who have entered the awards, but will also establish role models for other women who are either contemplating starting their own enterprise or expanding an existing one."

He said the awards followed on from BBV's plans for a Centre of Excellence for Women in Business across North Manchester, launched a year ago.

Guests for the awards day include Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly, who is Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

The event will be hosted by freelance presenter Beverley Ashworth, a former Granada broadcaster.

The award categories are:

Most innovative idea, young woman entrepreneur, supporter of women's business, woman social entrepreneur, woman entrepreneur of the year and best corporate entrepreneur.

There will also be a Jean Wilson Award for Entrepreneurship, in memory of the former BBV chairman. The event starts at 11am, when there will be contributions from female entrepreneurs and business finance advice.

The lunch is at 1pm and the awards presentation is at 2.30pm. For tickets, call Sylvia Philips at Bolton Business Ventures on 01204 391400.

JUDGES are choosing the winners from a shortlist of 24.

They include:

Karen Noakes, of New Aspirations, Harwood.

Charlotte Chadwick, of Education Business Partnership, Chorley New Road, Bolton.

April Cox, of A Simple Approach, Acorn Street, Leigh.

Lorna McArthur, of Positive Results (UK) Ltd, Newlands Medical Centre, Chorley New Road, Bolton.

Ruth Yasmeen, of Intercare Employment Agency Ltd, Spring Street, Bury.

Ann Rimmer, of Clock Bolton, All Saints Street, Bolton.

Heather Spencer, of Heather Spencer Designs, Radcliffe Moor Road, Bolton.

Hilary Doherty, of Fostering Solutions Ltd, Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

Nichola Kellett, of Niko Leathers, Atherton Road, Hindley.

Tracey Kirk, of The Training Lab, Platt Lane, Hindley.

Gloria Marsh, of The Soupreme Sandwich Shop, Fountain Place, Whitfield.

Julie Courtney, of Type It, Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge.

Karen Marsh, of Driving Ambition School of Motoring, Cherwell Road, Westhoughton.

Linda Taylor, of Linda Taylor Associates, Bark Street East Bolton.

Dorothy Martland, of Diversity in Barrier Breaking Communications, Office 5, Bolton Market, Ashburner Street.

Lorna Roscow, of Inventors Highway, Square Street, Ramsbottom.

Lisa Entwistle, of Active Feet Chiropody Surgery, Mawdsley Street, Bolton.

Nazeera Atcha, Fuse Studios, Bolton Enterprise Centre, Washington Street.

COMPERE: Former Granada presenter Beverley Ashworth