HISTORY in the making was the theme this week when Barking and Dagenham businesses got together to put the borough on the map. Barking and Dagenham Enterprise, (BDE), a business based organisation dedicated to achieving excellence in local businesses, lau

HISTORY in the making was the theme this week when Barking and Dagenham businesses got together to put the borough on the map.

Barking and Dagenham Enterprise, (BDE), a business based organisation dedicated to achieving excellence in local businesses, launched the first borough wide Business Awards on Thursday.

With a top prize of £3,000 and media spotlight for the winners, the awards list eight categories, from Business of the Year to Innovation, and are designed to enhance and improve Barking and Dagenham to meet the future prosperity of the area.

Speaking at the event, BDE board member and local business man, Michael Frempong-Taylor said: "This is history in the making and I for one, am very excited about it.

"These awards will be an inspiration and show just what we are and can achieve in this borough, particularly with all the potential of Thames Gateway and the 2012 Olympics round the corner."

Also speaking at the launch at the Spotted Dog pub in Barking, Lead Member for Regeneration on Barking and Dagenham Council, Cllr Sid Kallar emphasised the authority's involvement in the scheme.

He said: "This is an exciting time and we are working hard with all partners to bring prosperity and make the borough more attractive."

First to sign up for the awards in May was Russell Humes, senior manager at the Spotted Dog.

He said: "This pub has been here since 1870, and the owners, Davy and Co have owned it for 98 years.

"It is very much a part of Barking and as a retail business has contributed much to the borough, that is why we are entering."

The closing date for entries is Thursday May 1, with the awards evening in Castle Green on July 8.

Application forms are being sent to all local businesses, but are also available online from from www.boldanddynamic.co.uk/awards or by calling 020 8858 8889

It is hoped that winners from Barking and Dagenham will go forward to the POST's parent company Archant London's capital wide Business Awards in October.