BUSINESSES across Test Valley have just a month to wait to find out if they are the best in the borough.

The nominations for the 11th annual Test Valley Business Awards were announced this week with 18 different companies shortlisted to receive an accolade at the ceremony on April 21.

The event will be held at The Lights and will be hosted by former Breeze presenter Steve Randall. He will hand out the awards to the winners if each of the six categories before being joined on stage by TV and radio presenter Nicholas Parsons CBE.

The 91-year-old Just a Minute host will be the guest speaker, with a talk about Test Valley, as well as sharing experiences from his life in the broadcast industry.

This year the Customer Service Award will be fought out between Andover Patio Centre, Kenyons Fruit & Veg Ltd and KJM Windows and Conservatories.

Battling it out for the Doing Business Locally award is Hampshire Fare CIC, Packridge Apartments and B&B and Randall Parker Foods, while Custom Interconnect, Oase UK Ltd and The Hawk Conservancy Trust have all been nominated for Employee of the Year.

Nine23 Ltd is the only company to feature in two categories, taking on fellow newcomers Corsair Security Solutions and SAL Scientific Ltd in the New Business of the Year award while also going toe-to-toe with 1st Touch Ltd and S and S Windings Ltd for the Innovation and Technology Award.

Meanwhile the Small Business award will be contested between French Briscoe Communications Ltd, Lee Manor B & B and Solent Plastics.

All of the businesses in attendance will be treated to food from Michelin awardwinning Chef Alan Haughie while swing vocalist Chris Berntsen will perform.

Tickets for the event are still available, e-mail info@tvbawards.org.uk.