FOUR Herefordshire companies are waiting with baited breath to see if they will win a business 'Oscar' next week.

The shortlist of finalists for the Chamber Awards 2005 was released on Monday.

Flying the flag for Herefordshire will be media and technology advisers Froya, military equipment supplier Milsys UK, fabric and design company New House Textiles, and metal products manufacturer Special Metals Wiggin.

The four will be battling it out against the other finalists in their categories for the ultimate business accolade at the awards, organised every year by the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Herefordshire is no stranger to chamber awards glory - last year saw ETL Systems of Hereford win the Tennessee Thousand Award.

Now in their fourth year, more than 300 guests are expected at the black-tie Awards dinner,on Thursday, July 21, in Worcester Cathedral.

The affair promises to be a glittering event with first-rate food and entertainment to complement the presentations.

Prizes will be given in seven categories to find the crme de la crme of businesses in the two counties.

Winners can expect to increase their profile through the awards and all winners will have had a positive impact on the local economy and be committed to Best Practice and continuous staff development.

Entrants who are also chamber members, will automatically go on to the British Chambers of Commerce Awards, in November, with a top prize of £25,000.

"We are very excited," said Christine Jones, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

"And we know our finalist companies are too.

"The judging process has been very challenging as all the entries were of such a high standard but, at the end of the day, there can be only one winner in each category and we are looking forward to announcing those on the night.

"But we hope all the finalists, as well as their peers, will be there to celebrate because, win, lose or draw, the Chamber Awards are about celebrating all business success in the two counties and the finalists deserve to be congratulated."

Awards will be given for: Business of the Year, Skills and Workforce Development, Business Commitment to the Community, Entrepreneur of the Year, New Export Business of the Year, Innovation through Technology and Most Promising New Business.