Companies have just a few days left to beat the deadline to enter this year’s Express & Star Business Awards.

Scores of businesses have already signed up to vie in the eight different categories in the awards, several taking part in the maximum of three categories.

But the closing date is Friday this week, so time is fast running out.

For more details about the awards click here or telephone the organising team at the Express & Star on 01902 319362.

Entry is free and open to all businesses operating with the Express & Star’s circulation area.

Three finalists will be selected in each category and visited by judges in mid-February. The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday, March 22.

This year has seen a wide diversity in the types and sizes of companies wanting to take part, with Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year the most popular categories. Innovation is another area where businesses feel they are doing well.

Entries for the Business of the Year already include a brick and blockwork contractor from Wolverhampton, an Indian restaurant, a Lichfield cutlery firm, a property management company based Cradley Heath and a specialist seating manufacturer in Brierley Hill.

Among the other awards is Manufacturing Champion, sponsored by aerospace group Goodrich, which has attracted interest from a specialist fastener firm from Wolverhampton, a West Bromwich company and a Dudley toolmaker.