When it comes to conservation and green issues, Sussex has some of the most environmentally-aware firms in the country.

Businesses entering the environmental awareness category of the Sussex Business Awards , sponsored by South East Water and the Environment Agency, will inevitably find their good practices copied by other businesses across the region.

Margaret Devlin, managing director of South East Water, is once again the principal judge in the category. She will be looking for practical examples of businesses working to improve the environment.

Mrs Devlin said: "Working with natural resources puts an obligation on firms to care for the environment and even to strive to improve it."

She joined the Haywards Heath-based water company 12 years ago as a customer services representative and worked her way up to running the £92 million business.

The company has 1.5 million customers across Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire and a workforce of 400, mostly based in Sussex.

Among its better-known locations are the reservoirs at Arlington and Ardingly, which are both wildlife havens. Arlington is 30 this year.

Mrs Devlin said: "It is a completely man-made structure where we have worked closely with other organisations like Sussex Wildlife and English Nature to create some marvellous landscapes and wildlife areas.

"At South East Water, we use one of natures most precious resources for our business. We believe we have a responsibility to be a best example of how to use that resource responsibly and efficiently and safeguard it for the future.

"One of the ways is to promote awareness and hence our sponsorship of the award.

"Through the award we hope to create a huge amount of awareness. For me, the important things are a sustainability, water efficiency and being aware of the environment. As a judge, I will be looking practical examples of working with the environment.

"Businesses can be aware of their environmental duties and still be successful companies.

"This is the second year of the award and Im hoping we can get more examples of best practice that we can then share with all businesses in Sussex."

Companies interested in entering should register their name for awards, indicating the category(ies) they are interested in. They can register online at www.sussex-business-awards.co.uk or complete the registration form included in a leaflet available from the awards office on 01273 207155.

Entrants are asked to complete a simple candidate profile.

All they have to do is answer a number of short questions in bullet-point format.

They then send their profile, together with the entry form, to the awards office as soon as possible and no later than the closing date of July 5.

The judges will review the candidate profile and, if it is shortlisted for an award, the company will be asked to make a fuller submission.