JUDGES of this year’s Hampshire Business Awards have been visiting the sites of some of the entrants.

Dozens of companies have entered in a bid to be crowned the winner of the 24th annual awards which has included a visit from the panel.

The judges are due to meet later this month (August) to discuss which companies should be shortlisted for each of the four categories.

The categories include the Blake Morgan Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Award, KPMG Company of the Year, RBS Management Team of the Year and University of Southampton Technical Innovation Award.

Will Smith, of KPMG, one of the Hampshire Business Awards sponsors, said: “The standard of entries this year has been excellent and the judges have been impressed as they have been going through the submissions from a diverse range of businesses of all sizes.

“Now we’re moving on to site visits where they can really see the shortlisted firms in action, and make the difficult decisions about which ones will go through to the final stage. I’d like to thank all businesses that entered, and wish all shortlisted candidates the very best of luck as we move towards the awards dinner in September.”

The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at Winchester Guildhall on Tuesday (September 30).