The first nominations have already been received for the inaugural Hyndburn Business Awards.

The first ceremony will be held at the most prestigious of settings at Accrington Town Hall on Tuesday, June 14.

Initially nominations can be made under three categories: The Stonehouse Logic Award, which is the main award of the competition, Customer Friendly Business Award and the Enterprising Person Award.

Every business that is nominated for the Stonehouse Logic Award will be contacted by the organisers and sent an entry form. The business can then select which other categories they wish to enter.

Customers only can nominate for the Customer Friendly Business Award, which is sponsored by the Cardboard Box Company. The award acknowledges businesses that serve their customers best. Every business that is nominated for this award is automatically nominated for the Stonehouse Logic Award too.

The third option for nomination is Enterprising Person Award which is sponsored by organisers Enterprising People and will be presented on the night by a representative of the Accrington Observer.

Editor Gareth Tidman said: “There are so many wonderful people out in the community of Hyndburn who do incredible work to help their community, be that through their business or in a voluntary capacity.

“It could be that the winner has done something enterprising or maybe they have responded to a need in their community through volunteering, starting a community project or a business.

“At the Accrington Observer, we were pleased to be asked to present this special award and help to tell the stories of the unsung heroes in our area.”

Enterprising People is organising the Hyndburn Business Awards in partnership with Love Local Networking.

Rob Carder, from Enterprising People, which is organising the new Hyndburn Business Awards

Rob Carder, from Enterprising People, has been involved in organising Rossendale Business Awards for six years and Ribble Valley Business Awards for the past two years.

“The awards have proved hugely popular in other areas of East Lancashire and all our sponsorship packages were quickly snapped up in Hyndburn,” said Rob.

“I live in the area and know of the vast array of businesses that are thriving despite difficult times and are providing a service second to none. This is your chance to say thank you by nominating them for an award.

“There are 16 different awards that will be keenly contested and nominations can be made until the end of April. Judging will then be in May. I anticipate that Hyndburn Business Awards will grow over the years to become as successful as the ceremonies in Rossendale and Ribble Valley.”

Anyone wanting to nominate a business just has to log on to the awards’ website www.hyndburnbusinessawards.co.uk