Veteran broadcaster Fred Dinenage employed his interviewing skills at the launch of the 2013 Test Valley Business Awards.

ITV Meridian News presenter Fred was at Romsey’s White Horse Hotel yesterday for the launch ceremony where he spoke with some of last year’s winners.

These included Sandra Sassow, boss of SEaB Energy, manufacturer of the Muckbuster self-contained anaerobic digester, who said success in the 2012 awards had been a “real stepping stone” towards global recognition.

Since last year the firm, based on the University of Southampton Science Park at Chilworth, had seen its product selected as one of nine “game changing” innovations in a sustainability initiative backed by NASA, Nike and the US government.

This year there are six categories to enter (sponsors shown in brackets): New Business of the Year (Test Valley Borough Council), Customer Excellence (Snows Group), Business in the Community (Churchill Retirement Living), Employer of the Year (Kier), Innovation & Technology (University of Southampton Science Park), Small Business of the Year (Hampshire County Council) The closing date for entries is April 22.

All entries received by March 8 will go into a draw to win a night for two at Chilworth Manor Hotel.

Fred will be back to preside over the awards ceremony being held at The Lights in Andover on July 2.