GLASGOW'S business community is thriving after an annual awards competition attracted a record number of entries.

Nominations for this year's Glasgow Business Awards are up 10% on last year.

The Evening Times-backed annual event gives firms the chance to compete in 14 different categories.

The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony in the city's Thistle Hotel on October 3.

Richard Muir, deputy chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are extremely pleased by the encouraging response for this year's awards.

"The entries submitted further affirm the strength of a wide range of sectors which are thriving, from engineering, to life-sciences, renewables and retail."

Awards categories include: Best Performing Business; Excellence in Customer Service; Young Business Person of the Year; Green Champion; and Family Business of the Year.

The winner of Glasgow's Favourite Business, run by the Evening Times, will also be announced on the night.

The six finalists in this category are Glasgow Airport, the Gorbals Recycles Project, La Bonne Auberge, Dales Cycles, Glasgow Credit Union and Abandon Ship Apparel.

Award sponsors include Bank of Scotland, ScotRail, Scottish Power, Glasgow School for Business and Society and Glasgow Caledonian University.

Mr Muir added: "We have some of Scotland's most successful businesses acting as sponsors for the event.

"The ceremony itself is always a fantastic occasion with guests from a broad cross-section of the city's business community."

Ian Collins, Bank of Scotland commercial banking area director, said: "Glasgow has a diverse and dynamic business community and the awards are a great opportunity to celebrate some of these success stories."

linzi.watson@eveningtimes.co.uk