THE 2004 Hampshire business Awards have been launched in a bid to reveal the county's top-flight companies.

A diverse cross-section of businesses took the honours last year - the three titles being claimed by Industrial Acoustics Company (IAC) from Winchester, which won the Bond Pearce Innovation Award; Basingstoke-based consultants Scott Wilson, named KPMG Company of the Year; and Ford Motor Company, which took the Community Award.The awards offer a host of benefits to the winners.

Tony Cottam, senior partner of KPMG's south-coast office, said: "We aim to reward businesses on a number of levels for their success. Past winners have told us that they significantly increased their profile, enjoyed heightened staff morale and generally received a real 'feel- good' factor, which in turn boosted confidence and made them an attractive company to work for." While the KPMG Company of the Year award seeks out all-round business excellence, the Bond Pearce Innovation Award aims to reward one particular aspect of a business's approach.

Nick Page, commercial partner at lawyers Bond Pearce in Southampton said: "Innovation is a vital element for a successful business, whether it's through new products, services or processes and last year's winner, IAC was a great example of the kind of company we are keen to hear from."

This year's campaign provides a new opportunity to enter the hall of fame, with a brand new award - The Royal Bank of Scotland's International Trade Award. The new category aims to reward Hampshire's internationally focused companies.

Mark Price, regional director of corporate banking at The Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "It's a chance to set the standard for future Hampshire businesses. We know there are some great companies across the county which are successfully embracing the global marketplace, so it's a case of them getting their entries in to let us know what a great job they are doing."

The gala dinner where the winners will be announced is to be held at the Ocean Village headquarters of Challenge Business on September 16.

Entry forms are available now and can be obtained by e-mailing HBA04@kpmg.co.uk