PIONEERING local companies have just a month left to enter the Echo-backed Dorset Business Awards.

Firms that are flying the flag for Britain overseas are being urged to enter the Dorset Business International Award, sponsored by Business Link Wessex.

The award is aimed at firms which have expanded their international operations during the last 12 months.

It is open to any Dorset business from multinationals (or their subsidiaries) to small private companies. Entrants must have been trading for at least three years and have a record of international trade during that time.

Judges will be looking at:

commitment to international trade;

staff training;

sales in new markets;

innovation;

increased export turnover.

Dorset Business president Gordon Page said: "Local businesses that have developed strong business strategies to be successful on an international scale deserve to be acknowledged.

"Judges welcome entries from a wide range of businesses in terms of size, turnover and approach to market.

"Previous winners have found that winning provides them with a local and national platform to shout about their success."

Last year Ferndown-based Network Telex Group - which sells its telex software in more than 140 countries - beat Cobham and Shape Technology to receive the International Award for its export achievements.

Network Telex, originally founded as a Prince's Trust company, has won plaudits from Prince Charles as a major success story for the trust. Network Telex founder and managing director Philip Clarke was invited to dine with Prince Charles at Vera Cruz, Mexico on a royal visit.

Mr Clarke said: "We have benefited both locally and internationally from successful exposure since winning the award.

"Many companies underestimate the success of their achievements and do not realise they are in the top layers of their chosen field - I would definitely recommend companies to enter."

The four Echo-backed Dorset Business Awards are the:

KPMG Company of the Year;

Lester Aldridge Business Person of the Year;

Dorset Business International Award, sponsored by Business Link Wessex;

IoD Innovation Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University.

Entry forms can be obtained from:

Margaret Waite, Lester Aldridge, 01202 786161, margaret.waite@la-law.com;

Hazel Gibbs, KPMG, 02380 202051, hazel.gibbs@kpmg.co.uk.

The deadline for entries is Friday September 24 2004.