BUSINESSES across North Yorkshire are being given an extended opportunity to be part of this year's Press Business Awards.

The deadline for the annual event, which attracts more than 300 people to its awards ceremony each November, is being pushed back until August 24.

More time is being given to businesses to put themselves forward for up to two of a total of 10 categories, celebrating all aspects of enterprise.

The awards, now in their 28th year, recognise the achievements of all kinds of businesses; large and small, across all kinds of different sectors and in various areas of best practice.

All businesses from sole traders to plcs are invited to enter, but must be based in the circulation area of The Press, which radiates out to Northallerton and across to the North York Moors in the north, down to Selby in the south, out to Beverley and the Yorkshire coast in the east, and across west to Harrogate and Wetherby.

The Press Business Awards have helped to raise the profile of many truly fantastic businesses in the region. Entries, win or lose, will be summarised to form a profile on each business, which will be published in the business pages of The Press.

Judges then pick a shortlist of three contenders for each of the ten categories before our sparkling ceremony at York Racecourse, on November 15, offers a night of unrivalled celebrations and the winners are revealed.

Businesses are invited to submit their entries online at www.thepressbusinessawards.co.uk where they will be asked to formulate a compelling written submission. Details of all ten categories and the criteria involved can also be found online here. Entries now close midnight, Friday, August 24.