GET on the phone to get in the running... Following the launch of the 2004 Hampshire business Awards, the search is now under way for the brightest business stars in the county.

The sponsors of this year's awards - Bond Pearce, KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland - are encouraging Hampshire businesses to get on the phone to get an application form in plenty of time for the entry deadline of June 18.

The prestigious awards are split into three categories:

The Bond Pearce Innovation Award

KPMG Company of the Year

The Royal Bank of Scotland International Trade Award.

Tony Cottam, senior partner at KPMG's south coast office, said: "Although the deadline for applications is a month away, it's a good idea to get an entry form early to allow enough time to get it filled in thoroughly.

"The application form is straightforward - it just needs a bit of planning and thought. Indeed, businesses in the past have found it a helpful exercise to stand back and evaluate their performance and priorities moving forward."

Nick Page, commercial partner at Southampton-based law firm Bond Pearce, said: "With past years illustrating that Hampshire is a real centre for exciting, innovative businesses, we are keen to hear from as many of them as we can.

"To ensure that companies have the chance to prove they are the stars of 2004, we would encourage them to start the process sooner rather than later, to allow them to join the prestigious list of past winners."

Taking the honours at the Hampshire Business Awards in 2003 were Industrial Acoustics Company 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 won the Community Award.

This year companies with a focus on international activity have the opportunity to blaze a trail with a brand new category - The Royal Bank of Scotland's International Trade Award.

Mark Price, regional director of corporate banking at The Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "With the International award running for the first time this year it's a great opportunity for a company which has a commitment to exporting or importing to set the standard for other internationally-focused companies to follow."

Entry forms are available now by telephoning 023 8020 2051 or by e-mailing HBA04@KPMG.co.uk