THE judges have their work cut out picking the winners for this year’s prestigious Tendring Blue Ribbon Business Awards.

Nominations closed earlier this month and the panel will need to get round the table and go through the host of submissions and come up with their shortlist.

Tendring Blue Ribbon was set up for the first time last year to celebrate and reward businesses across the district The awards are run by Jamesons Accountants, Barclays Bank and Tendring Council in association with Dream 100. Under the chairmanship of head judge George Kieffer, chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership, the panel will select those who will pick up their accolades at a glittering ceremony at Clacton’s Princes Theatre on October 5.

Christine Brown from Jamesons said: “The standard is once again very high and it just goes to show how many excellent thriving business there are out there around the district.

“This is all about celebrating the very best of Tendring and I am sure that we will be doing just that at the ceremony on October 5 – we are all really looking forward to it.

“I do not envy the judges their task as there are so many worthy nominations this year and it will be a tough task.”

Zoe Fairley, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for investment and growth, said: “This initiative just goes from strength to strength and the awards should be a very special evening for all those involved.

“A great deal of hard work goes into putting the event on and I am sure it will be a very tense affair when the winners are announced.”

Profits this year will be donated to two charities, Help Alexia Walk and Stanley’s Heroes. Last year a total of £3,800 was handed over on the night between three charities.