Herefordshire Council is battling against 11 other places in the UK to be crowned overall winner of the 2008 Enterprising Britain awards.

The county was named Enterprise Capital of the West Midlands by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands in June this year due to the transformation of its economic prospects in recent years.

David Hooper, enterprise business development manager within the Economic Development Directorate at Advantage West Midlands, led the team of regional judges, which included Peter Henderson, Managing Director of Valve Train Components based in Lichfield (a leading supplier to the global automotive industry) and John Rider, Representative of the Institute of Directors, West Midlands.

John Rider said: “All the judges felt that Herefordshire demonstrated excellent partnership working between the public and private sector. Everybody in Herefordshire should be proud of the way the area has prospered over the least few years.

“We have the highest hopes for a Herefordshire win in the national competition.”

Peter Henderson said: “As a member of the West Midlands Regional Enterprise Board I am ensuring that some of the work and activities that have taken place in Herefordshire are replicated throughout the West Midlands Region and that the best practice being demonstrated in this local area is shared across the region. We are fully behind Herefordshire for a win this week.”

Natalia Silver, head of economic and community services at Herefordshire Council, who led the bid added: “Many of the projects and businesses that are doing so well have benefited from our various support channels, many of which again have been supported by Advantage West Midlands.

The Enterprising Britain award shows we are succeeding and have ambitious projects in place to ensure we continue to grow together. We have high hopes for the national judging.”