THE finalists for this year's Daily Echo-backed Dorset Business Awards have now been announced.

Multinational companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are listed side-by-side in the annual search for the county's top business performers.

The Dorset Business Awards, organised by Dorset Business (Chamber of Commerce & Industry), recognises and rewards excellence, innovation and success. Founded in 1994 the competition allows the best of Dorset businesses to showcase their achievements and benchmark their successes against firms of all types.

Winners of all 10 categories will receive their awards at the prestigious gala dinner hosted by BBC South's Sally Taylor, at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 29.

The finalists are:

Creative Project of the Year, sponsored by The Arts Institute at Bournemouth and Liz Lean PR

Aylesworth Fleming, Bournemouth - advertising, marketing and PR agency

Mollie Regan Textiles, Poole - design and produce hand embroideries for the interior and fashion industries

  • Thinking Juice, Bournemouth - an advertising and brand communication agency

Dorset Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Poole Audi

  • Branksome Beach, Poole - offers fine dining
  • Summer Lodge, Evershot - its wine cellar exceeds 1,300 wines
  • The Crab House Café, Weymouth - menu changes depend on the incoming catch

Environmental Excellence, sponsored by BP

Blackmore Ltd, Shaftesbury - a printing company committed to reducing any actions having adverse effect on the environment

Bournemouth University, Poole - six distinctive schools of study committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of its environment

  • J & G Environmental Ltd, Blandford Forum - specialists in waste control for printing, photographic and healthcare

Family Business of the Year, sponsored by Princecroft Willis

  • C G Pitcher & Son Limited, Wimborne - a building contractor run by the third and fourth generation of the Pitcher family
  • Langtry Manor Hotel, Bournemouth - a family business celebrating its 30th anniversary
  • Leggett & Co LLP - the longest established mortgage broker in Bournemouth
  • Oxfords Bakery Limited, Alweston near Sherborne - Dorset's longest running small family bakery

Innovation Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University and the Institute of Directors

  • Avius Experience, Bournemouth - a software development company
  • Broadview Blinds, Poole - a leading manufacturer and supplier of blinds
  • SELEX Communications, Christchurch - a communications systems supplier for military and civil customers

KPMG Company of the Year

  • Agincare Ltd, Weymouth - one of the largest independent providers of domiciliary care in the UK
  • Eco Composting, Christchurch - a re-cycling company. One of the country's leading organics recyclers processing 120,000 tonnes of material per annum
  • Kondor, Wimborne - the UK's premier distributor of mobile, music and data accessories

Linking with Schools Award, sponsored by The Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council

  • Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel nominated by Rossmore Community College
  • West Dorset Food & Land in Bridport nominated by Beaminster School

RBS Best Management Team

  • Agincare Ltd, Weymouth
  • Julia's House, Poole - Dorset's only hospice for children with life-limiting conditions
  • Marton House Plc, Bournemouth - delivers award-winning training solutions to financial services clients and other regulated industries

Supporting the Community, sponsored by JP Morgan

  • East Dorset Housing Association, Ferndown - a registered social landlord providing over 3,000 affordable homes across Dorset and Hampshire
  • Poundbury Systems, Dorchester - install, support and maintain computer, network and telephony networks
  • ROK, Poole - provides development, building and maintenance services tailored to local needs

Sustainable Building, sponsored by Dorset Business (Chamber of Commerce & Industry) and PH Warr plc

  • DCRS Construction Ltd, Blandford - provides consultancy, project management and construction services
  • Interserve Retail & Interiors Ltd, Bournemouth - a commercial shop-fitting and interiors business
  • Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester - Dorset's college of the countryside

Chief executive of Dorset Business Peter Scott said: "We've seen a remarkable number of entries this year, and the quality has been outstanding. The finalists exemplify the high achievements of Dorset's business community, and they serve as exceptional role models for all sectors of commerce and industry across Dorset and beyond."

For further information regarding the Dorset Business Awards please contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 714802.