SMALL South East businesses have the chance to win £40,000 due to the Parcelforce Worldwide small business award scheme.

Parcelforce Worldwide have extended their deadline for entries to June 25th, this will give more businesses the chance to enter the free awards.

The awards have already attracted 150 entries and offer prizes worth £6,000 to the best small business in the region.

The regional winner will go forward to the national final where they will have a chance to win £30,000 and will be made the UK's Small Business of the year.

Nigel Griffiths MP, Minister for Small Business, said: "These are the biggest small business awards in the UK and demonstrate that all small businesses are the economic growth in the UK.”

To qualify for entry a company must be independently owned and UK based, employ 30 people or less, have a turnover of over £58,000 per year and have been established for at least two years since April 18th 2004.