A SOCIAL enterprise company has been shortlisted in the regional finals of an award.

The Eaga Partnership, in Newcastle, is one of four firms in the northern finals of the National Business Awards.

It has been nominated for the Customer Focus Award and Employer of the Year Award, and is up against Telewest Broadband, Lloyds TSB and Leeds-based design house Watt Gilchrist.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Manchester on July 12.

Dave Routledge, Eaga's director of group services, said: "As an employee-owned company, that puts service excellence at the heart of everything we do, we're delighted that out reputation in this area has been recognised."

Eaga manages programmes on behalf of central Government, utilities and social housing providers.

Last month, it won a £3m deal to implement British Gas' Quality of Life programme.

The three-year scheme will offer vulnerable customers, such as the elderly, a free benefit entitlements check to make sure they are claiming the help they are due.

Eaga won the regional Employer of the Year award in 2003.