Members of the public will be able to cast their vote for the first time in Malvern's own business Oscars.

People will be invited to pick the winner in a new category for outstanding customer service at the Platinum Awards for Business Excellence.

The awards, sponsored by Malvern Hills District Council and the Malvern Gazette - the sister paper of the Worcester News - will be announced on Wednesday, April 12, at Malvern Theatres.

In addition to the new customer service award, there are also awards in seven other categories. The arts excellence award has become a creative industries award to encourage applications from a wider range of creative businesses such as architects and web and graphic designers.

Businesses started in the past 18 months are encouraged to enter the enterprise excellence category, while innovation excellence is for firms with innovative new practices and processes.

This year, the production business excellence category will be split into two sections - one for companies with 10 or fewer employees and the other for businesses with more than 10 staff. Businesses with retail premises and those online can enter the retail excellence category. The final category is for tourism businesses.

Each category winner will receive a plaque, the right to use the platinum awards logo on their stationery and one year's membership of the Malvern Experience.

The overall winner will also receive a cheque for £500.

Members of the public can nominate businesses they think deserve the customer service excellence award by telephoning 01684 862151.

Companies which believe they provide excellent cust-omer service are asked to encourage their clients to vote for them. Businesses can enter other categories by downloading an online application form from www.malvernhills.gov. uk/platinumawards or telephoning for a form.

Nominations and applications will be accepted until Monday, February 27. For more details call Simon Rusling on 01684 862411.