ENTRIES are being invited for the region's largest ever awards for e-commerce businesses.

The E-Commerce Awards are run by the Department of Trade and Industry and Interforum, a not-for-profit organisation helping British businesses trade electronically.

They are open to small and medium sized businesses that employ less than 250 workers.

The regional heat is being sponsored by One NorthEast and the awards will take place in September, with winners in each category receiving a cheque for £1,000.

They will qualify to compete in the final in London in October, when the winner will take home £50,000.

Andy Walton, of One NorthEast, said: "Here in the North-East, we have some of the best examples of businesses adopting ICT (information and computer technology) to improve the way they work, and we want them to be recognised."

The six categories are: best sales and marketing online; best customer care online; best integrated business; best use of broadband; best use of teleworking; and best use of mobile and wireless technology. The closing date is July 29. For details, visit www.ecommerce-awards.co.uk

In 2003, Signposts, a division of Tyne Tees Television that supplies sign language services for broadcast media, won the national broadband award.