JUDGES have chosen the finalists for the Open4Business Excellence Awards sponsored by Smart Group Recruitment Solutions.

The panel shortlisted three companies in each of six categories at a marathon selection session at Southwell Park on Portland.

They chose the finalists from a record 56 entries for the second competition.

Last year's winners, Ojo's hair and beauty and Blondz hairdressers, have both scored two slots each - and go head-to-head in the Learning in the Workplace Award, spo-nsored by Weymouth College.

Poundbury Systems Ltd, which claimed honours in last year's awards, also claimed two places in the shortlists.

They - and other finalists - will learn who has won at the sold-out awards dinner at the end of the Open4Business extravaganza at Weymouth College on October 4.

The name of the winner of the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Smart Group Recruitment Solu-tions, will also be announced.

Judges who sifted through the entries include Graham Evans, managing director of Hampshire-based estate agents Penyards Group.

Weymouth College principal Sue Moore was also on the panel. The college has been a strong supporter of Open4Business and is sponsoring the Learning in the Workplace Award as well as hosting the awards dinner.

Joss Simpson, from Sandbanks-based PR agency Liz Lean PR, also cast her eye through the entries. She was joined on the judging panel by Dutton Gregory Solicitors partner Mark Broad.

A duo from the South West office of the Arts in Business organisation completed the judging panel. They were business manager for Devon and Dorset Elaine Arnold and professional development manager for the South West Rachel Pyke.

Companies named as finalists also include Queen's Awards winners RiskSTOP of Winfrith and Ultra Electronics from the Granby Industrial Estate.

Halos and Heroes hopes to scoop a hat-trick of wins after taking three places on the shortlists.

Emergency vehicle equipment company Onus is up in the First Time in Business Award sponsored by the Enterprise Connection in Poundbury. It is up against Wowz Design & Print from the Jubilee Enterprise Centre and Aubergine Healthy Living shop on Portland.

Aubergine is also up in the Excelling in Customer Service Award sponsored by Tice BMW, against Ojo's and Poundbury Systems Ltd.

Zafran, RiskSTOP and Halos and Heroes are in the running for the Innovation in Business Award sponsored by Business Link.

Halos and Heroes is also in the Small Business Award sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses where it faces Shakers Catering Supplies and White Stones from Portland.

Category winners will receive £500. The winner of the Business of the Year will take home a £1,000 prize.

Tickets for the awards dinner have now all sold out. Organisers hope the dinner and awards ceremony will be the best extravaganza so far.

List of finalists

Learning in the Workplace Award sponsored by Weymouth College: Blondz, OJo's, Ultra Electronics Community.

Responsibility Award sponsored by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council: Blondz, Halos and Heroes, Poundbury Systems Ltd.

First Time in Business Award sponsored by Enterprise Connection: Aubergine Healthy Living, Onus, Wowz Design & Print.

Innovation in Business Award sponsored by Business Link: Halos and Heroes, RiskSTOP, Zafran.

Excelling in Customer Service Award sponsored by Tice BMW: Aubergine, OJo's, Poundbury Systems Ltd.

Small Business Award sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses: Halos and Heroes, Shakers Catering Supplies, White Stones.