HONOURS are waiting for top firms and star employee. The Thanet Council Business Awards 2002 have begun.

There are seven categories including the Thanet Company of the Year and Employee of the Year. The awards are open to all firms in Thanet. The Employee of the Year must work and live on the isle.

Generous support for the annual awards has been repeated. The categories are:

Thanet Company of the Year sponsored by Thanet District Council

Small Business Award (fewer than 10 employees) sponsored by Barclays

Medium and Large Business Award (more than 10 employees) sponsored by Business Link Kent

Investing in Training Award sponsored by Business Link Kent

Thanet Exporter of the Year sponsored by Sericol Ltd

Thanet Tourism and Leisure Award sponsored by the Elonville Hotel, Cliftonville

The John Le Baigue Trophy for Employee of the Year sponsored by Multiglow Fires in memory of John Le Baigue.

Thanet council has been running the business awards since 1986.

Cabinet member for Economic Development Paul Rollins, said: "The awards represent a real opportunity to applaud the hard work being carried out in the area."

Entries may come from companies themselves, individuals employed within the company or customers of the companies. Entries for Employee of the Year may come from employers or work colleagues. The Thanet Company of the Year Award winner will be chosen from the winners of the other categories.

Application forms can be obtained from and sent to Pauline Warren at Economic Development and Marketing Department, Thanet District Council, Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1XZ. Or phone 01843 577037 or e-mail: pauline.warren@thanet.gov.uk.

Forms should arrive no later than Thursday, February 14. Finalists will be invited to a presentation lunch on Tuesday, March 19.