SMALL businesses across Somerset are been given the chance to win up to £12,000 at this year's FSB awards.

There will be a £2,000 prize for the 11 categories winners in the 12 areas across the UK at the FSB and Worldpay UK Business Awards 2017, with the grand final set to take place at the Globe Theatre on May 10.

The overall winner will also take home a further prize of £10,000.

The ceremony will be hosted by businessman Tim Campbell MBE, the first winner of BBC's The Apprentice.

The categories for small businesses to enter are Business and Product Innovation Award, Micro Business of the Year, Online Business of the Year, Ethical Business of the Year, Business Exporter of the Year, Best Start Up of the Year, Best Family Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Community Business of the Year, Employer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mary Webb, Somerset chairman of FSB, said: "With the chance for smaller businesses to celebrate their success both regionally and nationally, the awards level the playing field for entrants, as smaller businesses are not competing against bigger businesses, but against similarly sized enterprises.

"I am really excited to see the innovative smaller business that enter this year.”

Businesses with under 250 employees can enter at fsbworldpayawards.org.uk.

Online entry will close at midnight on February 17 and area category winners will be announced in March.