A BRIGHTON company has been shortlisted for the 2017 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

OMGTea - based in Castle Street - has made the regional shortlist in the Small Business of the Year award.

It beat off tough competition with more than 1000 businesses entering the awards nationally.

OMGTea is a health and well-being company specialising in the highest-grade organic matcha green tea imported from Japan.

Now in its fifth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs over the years, many of whom are now household names.

Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane of The Cambridge Satchel Company, James Watt of BrewDog and Alexander Solomou of TheLADBible Group.

Katherine Swift, founder of OMGTea, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been recognised in such a strong category alongside some other great small businesses.

“There is a real frisson of opportunity in the UK at the moment, particularly for small businesses – the world literally does feel like our oyster.”

Gordon Merrylees, head of entrepreneurship at NatWest, said: “I want to thank all of the entrepreneurs who entered this year and congratulate those who have been shortlisted.

“I look forward to seeing them at the regional finals.

“It is clear that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and NatWest is thrilled to be able to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK economy as they start, scale and succeed.”

The awards will celebrate entrepreneurship at five gala finals.