PEOPLE who have triumphed against the odds to set up their own business in the south are to be recognised in new government-backed awards.

Trading Places awards aim to highlight unemployed people who have overcome barriers to transform their lives.

The awards will recognise the efforts of those who were so determined to get back into the workplace that they set up their own business.

Minister for work Jane Kennedy is spearheading the awards under the New Deal programme along with Business Link and The Prince's Trust, which between them help more than 200,000 fledgling entrepreneurs every year.

Judges, who include Coffee Republic founder and entrepreneur Sahar Hashemi, will select 12 national finalists, all of whom will receive £1,000 for their business.

They will then attend a lunch on Tuesday, November 16, as part of National Enterprise Week, where they will receive their awards before an audience of 300 VIP guests.

Prize for the national winner will £7,000 for their business, with £3,000 going to the business of the runner-up.

Nomination forms are available by calling the awards hotline 0870 902 3333. To qualify, individuals must have been trading for a minimum of 13 weeks and their business must not be older than two years.