Judging is under way for the Sussex Business Awards 2001.

Lynna Williams, business awards manager, said there had been an impressive number of entries this year, spread evenly across all eight categories.

New this year is the Virgin Atlantic Dynamic Business Award for the fastest-evolving, most dynamic business in Sussex.

Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, the Gatwick-based airline, said: "We know there are a lot of dynamic businesses out there and the Sussex Business Awards are their chance to be recognised."

Mrs Williams said: "The decision of Virgin Atlantic to become a sponsor is evidence of the continuing appeal of our business awards schemes to major corporate sponsors."

Other categories this year are Innovation, sponsored by asb law and The Sussex Innovation Centre; Environmental Awareness, sponsored by South East Water in association with the Environment Agency; Business Community Citizenship Award, sponsored by American Express in association with Business in the Community; Sussex Retailer of the Year, sponsored by The Argus; University-Business Partnership Award, sponsored by the Universities of Brighton and Sussex; Sussex Company of the Year, sponsored by KPMG; and Small Business Award, sponsored by Southern FM Judges, headed by Peter Hall, regional chairman of the Institute of Customer Service, will meet next month to draw up a shortlist of businesses that will be visited for the final round of judging.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel on Thursday, November 22.

Tickets can be booked through the awards office on 01273 207155.