BUSINESSES across Wellington and West Somerset are vying for the top spot in the county’s annual business awards.

At number of local firms have reached the finals in the Somerset Business Awards, including Minehead zero-waste shop ‘Our Precious Earth.’

Business owner Keith Hunt hopes his seaside shop will be named ‘start up of the year’ in the contest- just days after being handed an award by former Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis.

Mr Hunt said the idea to open the eco-friendly shop was born of his despair over plastic rubbish left discarded on Minehead beach, “I went home and researched ways I could start a business which would make a difference.” he said.

Commenting on the Somerset Business Awards, Mr Hunt said: “I think I have a good chance of winning, but even being in the final is an award in itself.”

The young business has already been awarded ‘gold status’ by conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage and was named among the country’s top 100 small businesses by Small Business Britain.

Wellington-based document control firm Synertec is shortlisted in the ‘large business of the year’ category and is now battling for poll position against Bridgwater and Taunton College and Taunton firm Rotec Hydraulics.

Synertec managing director Tom Baldock thanked his staff for making the nomination possible. He said: “Synertec are incredibly proud of all of our people who have worked hard over the last 25 years to create a truly successful business.

“Nomination for this award is really for them, not just those in Wellington but at all of our sites around the country. We’re excited to celebrate this nomination by sending some of our many talented and driven individuals that have contributed to the success over the years, who will be present at the awards evening.

“The last 25 years of innovation have seen the development of an exceptional toolkit which we put to use to benefit and support our customers. None of this would have been possible without every single person who has worked for the business over those years!”

Also up for an award is Roadwater firm Singer Instruments, which has reached the final in the ‘employer of the year’ category. Founded in 1934 the Exmoor-based tech firm with offices around the world is an “employee-owned company” which they say “puts their people first.”

Bradford-on-Tone’s Lendology, which provides “low cost” loans, is in the final with a shot at claiming the ‘environmental and sustainability’ award. The firm describe themselves as ‘disruptors’ who “Provide access to low cost, responsible finance.” Adding “We make our lending decisions with people, for people and put impact before profit.”

It is the 19th year the Somerset Chamber of Commerce has hosted the awards. Chief Executive, Emma Rawlings, thanked everyone who had entered the awards.

She said: “Despite some really challenging trading conditions, it’s been incredibly encouraging to see so many fantastic applications from business and charities from across the county – they are doing some great work and we are honoured to be able to highlight that through these awards.