An environmentally-friendly Staffordshire firm is in the running for a national business award.

Transport firm Zytek Automotive Technology, is shortlisted in the 2008 Barclays Commercial Bank Green Leaders in Business Awards.

The Lichfield, firm is in the medium business category alongside four others. A total of 12 green business leaders made the finals for three categories. Awards recognise firms which use pioneering processes or new sustainable technology, products or services to help beat climate change and boost profits.

Green Leaders in Business was open to all UK and Irish companies and has categories for companies with a turnover below £1m, between £1m and £20m and more than £20m.

Zytek is providing electric vehicle systems designed to change the way people think about transport.

The firm’s revolutionary technology is being applied to motor racing, with Zytek developing a hybrid electric drive for a leading Formula One team that will run competitively next year.

Barclays commercial bank marketing director, Richard French, said: “We believe Zytek Automotive offers a fresh perspective in the way they use innovative solutions to do business in a financially successful and sustainable manner.”

The national finalists will now go before an expert judging panel, chaired by leading environmentalist Tom Burke, and including the Carbon Trust, Blomberg and the WWF.

Winners will be revealed before an audience of 250 guests at a gala lunch at the East Wintergarden in London on September 9.

The event will also mark the launch of a limited edition book, highlighting the pioneering accomplishments of all the winners and finalists.

For more information about the awards visit www.barclayscommercial.com/greenleaders