The deadline for entries to the South Wales Business Awards is fast approaching.

Businesses from around Gwent have until the end of Friday to enter one of the 15 categories in the inaugural awards, which are being staged in partnership with Newport Now Business Improvement District.

The awards, which will be presented at an evening event in Newport city centre on September 27, are set to become one of the highlights of the Gwent business calendar.

There are 14 categories for businesses across Gwent to enter. The 15th category, Business of the Year sponsored by Newport Now, will be decided by the judging panel, which will include South Wales Argus business editor Jo Barnes.

The other categories are: Innovative Business of the Year, sponsored by Western Power Distribution; Entrepreneur of the Year (35+), sponsored by Johnsey Estates; Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Icon Creative Design; Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by Newport City Council; Family Business of the Year, sponsored by MHA Broomfield Alexander; Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Thomas Carroll Group; Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Kymin; Start Up Business of the Year, sponsored by St Jospeh's Hospital; Contribution to the Community, sponsored by Monmouthshire Business Society; Customer Service Award, sponsored jointly by Friars Walk and The Kingsway Centre; Best BID Independent of the Year, sponsored by Newport Now; Best BID National of the Year, sponsored by Newport Now; Environmental Business of the Year and Training and Development Business of the Year.

The awards are easy to enter - just follow the link at the bottom of this story to enter your business and be in with a chance of picking up one of the prestigious prizes.

South Wales Argus MD Hussain Bayoomi has thanked all the sponsors for backing the awards and urged businesses from across Gwent enter the awareds before the deadline on July 20.

The business awards will be presented at an event at the Newport Centre on September 27, 2018.

To enter go to www.southwalesargus.co.uk/awards/business2018/.

For more details on sponsorship packages or to buy tickets to the event contact Matt Berry on 01633 777043 or Samantha Taylor on 01633 777147.