Website experts in companies and organisations across the county are being offered the opportunity to have their skills recognised, with the arrival of The Hantsweb Awards 2003.

The awards, which are taking place for the second time, are organised by Hampshire County Council and aim to recognise the depth of website excellence in the county.

County council leader, Councillor Ken Thornber, joined the county council's e-government champion, Councillor Rod Baulk, at Intech, the hands-on interactive science and technology centre near Winchester, to mark the opening date for entries to the awards. There will be 11 categories this year - including two new additions: public sector and rural community. The original nine categories are: accessibility; youth; schools; town or parish council; special interest; local small business; best online service; community or voluntary organisation and best public access to the Internet.

PICTURE - Left to right: Councillor Rod Baulk, the County Council's E-Government Champion; Leader of the County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber; Councillor Adrian Collett, and local farmer Nigel Wren (behind) - who brought along his forage harvester to mark the addition of a new category to the Hantsweb Awards - 'Rural Community' - which is being sponsored by the County Council's Economic Development Office.