The Oxfordshire Business Awards is on course for another record year. There has been a total of 266 entries compared to 235 last year, a rise of 13 per cent.

Awards chairman Paul Lowe said: “This is the fifth consecutive year of increases and means a doubling of entries since 2007.

“I am delighted to say that our two new categories, the Jennings Ethical Award and Carter Jonas Export Award received a good number of entries.

“The whole of the Oxfordshire business scene appears to be represented amongst the entrants with entries coming in from all parts of the county’s geographical boundaries and also from new start-ups through to many of Oxfordshire top 100 employers. “Many winners and finalists from previous years have entered which shows the importance to those businesses of receiving recognition through these now well recognised awards.”