PUT your business in the shop window in entering an Open 4 Business contest.

The Dorset Echo is sponsoring the Weymouth and Portland Open 4 Business Window Display Competition set up by the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

There will be separate prizes for the best window displays on the Open 4 Business theme for Weymouth and Portland traders.

Additionally, customers will be able to nominate the best customer service from an individual at shops with registered window displays.

There will be prizes - one for Weymouth and another for Portland.

The Dorset Retail Skillshop is co-ordinating the contest and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is backing it.

Chamber president George Afedakis said: "We are delighted to be hosting these retail awards for the second year running.

"We know there are some very enterprising businesses in both Weymouth and Portland who will enjoy dressing their windows specially for this important competition.

"I am particularly delighted there are separate awards for Portland this year.

"Last year David the Jeweller in St Thomas Street won the Retail Skillshop's top customer service award. The trophy is still in his window. This shows how much value local traders place on the professional work done by the Dorset Retail Skillshop.

"The Chamber is grateful for the fulsome support of the Dorset Echo and the borough council."

The Dorset Retail Skillshop awards, with a runner-up in every category, will be presented by Weymouth and Portland Mayor Tim Munro.

He will hand over prizes to the winners at a special chamber of commerce evening at the Banus Club on the Esplanade on October 13 at 7pm.

David Hughes, from David the Jeweller, said the success had boosted the business and reflected well on it.

"We had the trophy in the window so people have been aware of it.

"We have had positive feedback from our customers."

Mr Hughes added that the customers could see that the awards were creditable as they had been awarded by a recognised independent organisation. He urged businesses to join in this year.

"Anything that brings up the quality of customer service is good. We should provide a good quality of service for customers because they deserve it. You can't get good customer service anywhere but the high street. You can't get it on the internet or on the shopping channel."

Last year, the Skillshop awards were based on a team of mystery shoppers assessing around 30 shops, but this year the window competition is open to all Weymouth and Portland traders.

To enter the window display competition, email Skillshop's Dorset co-ordinator Mandy Payne, at mandy.payne@bournemouth.gov.uk or telephone her at 01202 451187.

You can also fill in the form on this page and send it to Mandy Payne, Dorset Retail Skillshop, Room 108, Town Hall, Bournemouth BH2 6DY.

The closing date is September 30.