The starting gun has fired on the county's premier business gongs, with three new categories on offer this year.

The third annual Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) were launched last night at Dorton House, a school for blind and visually impaired young people run by the Royal London Society for the Blind at Seal, near Sevenoaks.

More than 150 attended the event that unveiled 13 categories, including the new trio of Best Science and/or Technology Business, Business Commitment to the Environment, and Apprenticeship of the Year.

Other categories are for large business, small and medium enterprise, start-up, leisure and tourism, creative, employer, commitment to the community, customer service and commitment, entrepreneur and young entrepreneur.

Finalists will go to a gala dinner at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, on June 30, with a chance of winning a coveted glass trophy.

The awards are staged and produced by Kent County Council and the KM Group. Kevin Lynes, KCC Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said the new categories showed the awards were dynamic. "KEiBAs spotlight the excellence that's found in our really strong business community across the county," he said.

KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson urged organisations to "give it a go."

It was a powerful and cost-effective marketing tool. "Winning a prestigious KEiBA will help your organisation to stand out from the crowd," she said.

The deadline for entries - available at www.keiba.co.uk - is March 11.