ENTRIES from Worcestershire are being sought for a competition to find the most innovative and exciting small and medium sized businesses in the West Midlands.

The Government's Business is GREAT campaign and BT Business have teamed up to launch the GREAT Faces of British Business competition, which has been designed to showcase the Government’s growth support for small firms and businesses.

Business minister Matthew Hancock said: "Small businesses have been the driving force of our economic recovery. This is a top opportunity to celebrate the enormous contribution they make to villages, towns and cities across Great Britain. I am committed to fostering this entrepreneurial spirit and making sure that Britain is the best place in the world to start and grow a business.”

By entering the GREAT Faces of British Business entrants will be in with the chance of being crowned their regional champion, with the winners shortlisted for the national competition. The grand prix winner will win a prize package worth more than £30,000. This will include a bespoke creative advertising campaign and being featured in national and local media, along with an iPad Air and unlimited BT Wi-fi for 12 months courtesy of BT Business. In addition, the winner will also receive a package of export support from UK Trade & Investment, one of the Government departments currently supporting the Business is GREAT Britain campaign together with the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

The only requirements for entering the competition are that all businesses must be from the West Midlands and employ between 1 and 250 people. There are three categories and businesses can enter one or all depending on which are relevant to their business: best exporter – a small business that has successfully entered new markets, most innovative small business – a small businesses that has turned an innovative idea into a reality and best growth story – a small business that has an inspirational growth story.

To enter, all eligible businesses must state why they deserve to be named as the GREATest small business in their community. For the entry form visit http://www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/competition