DORSET businesses have triumphed in the South West Chamber Awards, organised by the British Chambers of Commerce.

Shape Technology won in two categories - Business of the Year and Export Business of the Year - while Gareth Weekes of Deep South Media scooped Entrepreneur of the Year.

Shape, which is based at Aviation Park West, Bournemouth Airport, now employs 46 people to provide the metals industry with shape and profile measurement solutions.

"Metal is our business, our aim is to provide customers with different ways to improve their business," said Shape MD Malcolm Jenkins.

Gareth Weekes, a former editor of the Daily Echo, Bournemouth, founded the communications consultancy Deep South Media five years ago.

His Winton-based team produces newspapers and magazines for clients throughout the South and West, advises companies on PR and trains journalists all over the Commonwealth via the internet.

l Apply now! That's the message to Dorset and Hampshire firms eager to win a Queen's Award for Enterprise.

Companies have until October 31 to enter next April's awards.

David Moore, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee on the Queen's Awards for Enterprise, has visited a Dorset past winner to highlight the contest.

International Trade category winner Air Bearings produces high speed drilling spindles.

A Queen's Awards spokesman said: "There's a misconception that only big companies win.

"But nearly half the 2004 winners have fewer than 50 employees and a score have fewer than 10.

"If a company employs at least two people, is UK-based and a high achiever in its field it can enter.

"Even if it doesn't win, the feedback report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of their application is a valuable tool towards future business success."

For more details on how to enter, www.queensawards. org.uk

l THREE local successes have gained Investor in People status through the Building a Better Business programme run by Bournemouth-based Wessex Consulting Management.

They are: Maidman's Removals, Bournemouth Airport, Christchurch; Rolled Alloys, Airspeed Road, Christchurch and Taymar Precision Grinding, Nuffield Industrial Estate, Poole.

Rolled Alloys' Alison Parker said: "We have considerably improved the way we work with our staff. They are far more effective because we feel they are more motivated."

More than 30 companies have now completed the Building a Better Business programme of short workshops. The next programme starts in November.

l BLANCHARDS Solicitors, which employs 50 people at its offices in Blandford and Dorchester, has achieved Investors In People.

Managing partner Sheila Johns said: "This award is the culmination of a lot of effort from all our staff and is testament to the firm's commitment, both to our own employees and the clients they serve."