Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce has launched its own set of business awards as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.

The Retail and Customer Service Awards and are aimed at businesses within a five-mile radius of the centre of Weymouth and Portland.

Andrew Knowles, President of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce said: “These awards are part of the chamber’s 100th-year activity. We wanted to do something that would help promote the full range of businesses in the Weymouth and Portland area.

“Many of these businesses give outstanding service to their customers, and we wanted this to be recognised. At the same time, we have to look at ways to continually improve what we offer. Entry is free and all entrants will we visited by a trained secret shopper. The entrants will get a detailed report covering the findings which can only improve standards further.”

All entrants will be visited by a secret shopper who will write a report covering their experience.

Entry forms will be available on the chamber website from Friday, June 15 with entries closing at the end of July. The categories are:

* Best Community Involvement Award

* Best New Business Award

* Most Welcoming Reception Award

* Best Customer Service Award

* Best Social Media and Website Award

* Best Window and Internal Display Award

* Best Individual Member of Staff Award

* Overall Winner

The winners will be announced at the awards dinner held at Weymouth College on Friday, October 19.