More than 90 local business people gathered at Balmer Lawn Hotel last week for the launch of the New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards.

Nominations are now open for the Awards, including The New Forest Marque Award for Food and Drink, which celebrates the very best in food and drink production in the New Forest.

The Awards have been hosted by the New Forest Business Partnership (NFBP) for 16 years. Mathew Lawson, Chairman of the NFBP, said: ‘We believe that it is vitally important that we acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of local individuals and businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievements.

‘We are delighted to welcome all the sponsors of our individual categories – a wonderful group of businesses and organisations who make this special event possible.’

This year’s Awards take place on Thursday 1 December with 18 award categories, including several new categories this year. Full details are live now on the Awards page of the NFBP website, so please have a look and nominate your own – or someone else’s – business today.

All entries should be made by 12 noon on Saturday 1 October.