Five leading regional companies have been awarded the prestigious Big Tick in the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2005.

All five companies will be presented with their Big Tick at a gala dinner at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull tonight and have been shortlisted for a national award to be announced at London's Royal Albert Hall in July.

The dinner, sponsored by RWE npower will attract 350 senior business leaders from across the region in an evening of reward and celebration. The awards, that are independently judged are run in the West Midlands in association with The Birmingham Post.

Companies receiving the Big Tick are:

RWE npower for their Health Through Warmth programme.

The BUPA Healthy Communities Award is in recognition of the impact made by the company in tackling fuel poverty that has helped 10,000 vulnerable households. RWE npower will receive a second Big Tick for being shortlisted for the overall Impact on Society Award.

Carillion plc, awarded the Company of the Year accolade in 2003, are also on the shortlist for this prestigious award.

Ricoh UK Products Limited will collect two Big Ticks - The Shields Environmental Award for their Zero Waste Programme that has achieved an impressive 100 per cent recycling of its factory waste and the HBOS Supply Chain Award to recognise the remarkable way in which they have engaged their supply chain in environmental improvement activities.

PricewaterhouseCoopers and Britannia Building Society will pick up the Centrica Diversity award for demonstrating leadership and commitment to improving diversity in the workplace.

Britannia Building Society has made a massive investment of £100,000 to support the Springboard programme and has set up specific focus groups to take the diversity agenda forward.

The Post Office Rural Action Award is being awarded to a small mail order company, Wiggly Wigglers in Hereford, for the way their local and sustainable gardening products have a made a positive difference to the rural environment.

The awards will be presented by Julia Cleverdon, Chief Executive of Business in the Community who said before the event: "Responsible businesses really understand the links between competitiveness and social cohesion.

"Companies that win a Big Tick in our Awards for Excellence are showing a commitment to collaborative action with real benefits for their business.

"It's about a lot more than improving the company's image or writing a cheque for a good cause," he said.

The Chief sponsor's message will be made by David Threlfall, Chief Executive Officer of npower Retail.

He said: "At npower we believe that participation in activities that deliver environmental and social benefits is strategically important, makes good business sense and is consistent with commercial objectives.

"We recognise that our activities have an impact on the communities in which we work and are committed to carrying out our business with a sense of responsibility."

During the ceremony other winners will be announced including the prestigious HRH The Prince of Wales Ambassador Award given to a business leader who, through their own personal leadership, commitment and dedication, has made a considerable impact on society.