Kent’s great companies have been given an extra chance to shine after the deadline for the county’s most prestigious business awards was extended.

Bosses have until Friday, March 3, to enter KEiBA 2017 using the simple online application form.

Now in its ninth year, the awards are presented in front of more than 600 people at a gala dinner at the Kent Showground in Detling in June.

Run by Kent County Council and the KM Group, there are 16 categories to enter, including a new construction project of the year prize.

There are also new small business of the year and medium business of the year awards.

The KEiBAs – short for the Kent Excellence in Business Awards – have helped raise the profile of numerous companies.

Luke Quilter, chief executive of Sleeping Giant Media, a double winner last year, said: “The exposure that winning a KEiBA award has given us is fantastic.

"It reinforces all the hard work we do in our company, bolstering confidence in what we do.”

Daron Goldfinch, managing director of Finch House Cafe, which won tourism and hospitality business of the year in 2016, said: “Our customers have congratulated us and other businesses now know who we are, helping our business expansion plan.”

Kent County Council cabinet member for economic development Cllr Mark Dance said: “These companies earn good healthy profits and employ more people, expand and export. That’s a KEiBA winner.”

KM Group managing director Richard Elliot said: “Entering makes you really think about your business, what is great about it and how you can make it even better.

"I would encourage every company in Kent to enter.

"Just by entering you are showing how important you feel your business is.”

The KEiBA 2017 deadline has been extended to Friday, March 3.

To enter, visit keiba.co.uk