TWO Hampshire businesses are in the running for a regional award from parents.

The Party Shop, in Wickham, and Fairthorne Manor, an activity centre in Curdridge, have reached the regional final of a UK-wide competition.

Both have clinched a place in the Netmums south-east regional final to find the UK’s top children’s party company.

The Party Shop has been shortlisted within the supplier section and Fairthorne Manor in the party venue section.

Netmums said each finalist had beaten off hundreds of local rivals to get this far.

Voting has just opened in the poll, with more than a million parents and childcarers who are members of the Netmums site eligible to take part.

The Netmums Party Awards were set up to recognise the best firms in the growing children’s party market, and categories include favourite party entertainers, party suppliers and venues.

Voting closes on August 23.

Local Netmums editor Jenny Lewis said: “Children’s parties are no longer about jelly and ice cream and a small plate of sandwiches – they are big business. Parents expect the best and don’t mind paying to give their little one a big day to remember.

“Competition in the south-east is intense, with hundreds of firms offering their services. “Each of our finalists has been voted for by the region’s parents, and they are rightly celebrating making it this far.”