TWO local companies are celebrating being shortlisted for this year’s Dorset Business Awards.

Judges for the 2011 countywide awards, which are supported by the Dorset Echo, have produced a shortlist of 27 companies and three schools across nine categories.

TV actress and impressionist Debra Stephenson has been announced as the host of next month’s ceremony, which will be held at the Poole Lighthouse.

The awards are organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In the running for the Business Engagement with the Community gong is the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on Portland.

The shortlist recognises firms which have developed initiatives to engage with the community, particularly those that involve employee interaction.

Business manager Chris Knight said this is the first time the Sailing academy has entered the awards.

He added: “We are delighted with the nomination.

“We strive to interact with our community on many different levels, whether it’s getting youngsters engaged in sailing through the Chesil Trust and SailLaser, getting people involved in grass roots sailing or putting on local community events.”

Mr Knight added that the academy at Osprey Quay has been the venue for around 50 or 60 weddings over the past two years.

“Hopefully the sport will rub off on people who come and visit us and they will come back and try the sport.

“I think it’s important that the local community understands what goes on here and that it’s not all about elite sailing, it’s a facility for everyone,” he said.

The sailing academy is up against AFC Bournemouth and independently-owned superstore Dike & Son Ltd of Stalbridge.

Groves Nurseries of Bridport has been shortlisted for the Princecroft Willis Family Business Award.

Managing director Charlie Groves said: “GrovesGroves Nurseries is a family business that has been established since 1866.

“So we felt it was about time we entered ourselves into the Family Business category of the Dorset Business Awards.

“We are extremely pleased to be shortlisted to the final three in this category.

“Not only has Groves passed through six generations of CW Groves over the years with many family members actively taking part in the business: Clive Groves, Diana Groves, Charlie Groves, Becky Groves, Auntie Ann and Auntie Sue, but we are very proud to have many other local families working within our team.

“We like to think we are a family business in every sense of the word and it is wonderful that we are being recognised in this way.”

It is up against Dike & Son Ltd of Stalbridge and Tapper Funeral Service of Poole.