The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched British Small Business Champions 2008 (BSBC), our unique national awards scheme, aimed purely at small businesses.

Entries are invited from well-run businesses that are highly regarded by staff and customers. Businesses have to have been trading for at least five years at the time of entering and must employ no more than 50 staff.

Across the UK, six Area Champions will be chosen and these six businesses will go forward to the national final. One  business will be chosen as the National Champion and scoop the top prize of £10,000.

For BSBC 2008 there are two additional categories: Young Entrepreneur and Most Promising New Business. These have been chosen as a way for the FSB to show support for the new generation of up-and-coming businesses. Entries in both will go straight to national judging.

BSBC was launched by the Federation of Small Businesses in 2002 and is now firmly established as the most prestigious and highly valued of business awards for SMEs.

For more information go to http://www.fsb.org.uk/bsbc