WORCESTERSHIRE businesses are being urged to take advantage of the prestigious Lord Stafford Awards.

The awards were created to help businesses in the West Midlands to improve their performance by tapping into the wealth of knowledge, expertise and specialist facilities offered by the region's universities and higher education establishments.

There are two awards that recognise successful business/university collaborations and for each award, one winning large business and one winning small business will each receive a trophy and £5,000.

The categories are:

6 Awards for New Collaborations 2001 - presented to the best businesses demonstrating the benefits resulting from a first time collaboration with a group of staff in a West Midlands university of higher education establishment.

6 Awards for Innovation 2001 - presented to businesses best demonstrating the benefits resulting from collaboration on an innovative project with a West Midlands university or higher education establishment.

The closing date for this year's nominations is Saturday, June 30 and Advantage West Midlands is keen for businesses to approach them to take advantage of the possible resources available to them and to have the opportunity for securing the £5,000 winners award.

Businesses can apply for entry into the awards by contacting Advantage West Midlands' Birmingham office.