The finalists have been announced in this year's Somerset Business Awards, with a company based at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet vying for the honours.

Judges faced a tough time whittling down a record-breaking number of entries in this year's awards, which are run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

Cognique, which is a marketing agency based at the showground's Rural Enterprise Centre, is a finalist in the Small Business of the Year category.

The 2021 finalists come from all corners of the county, including Cheddar, Langport, Prestleigh, Glastonbury, Taunton, North Petherton, Roadwater, Frome, Highbridge, Wellington, Somerton, Baltonsborough, Westonzoyland, Midsomer Norton, Rooksbridge, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Compton Martin, Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare and Chard.

This year is the 16th anniversary of the awards and for the first time the grand final will be broadcast online at 3pm on March 26, with host, BBC presenter and journalist, Claire Carter.

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph thanked everyone who had entered the awards and said the most hotly contested categories had included Outstanding Covid-19 Response, Service Excellence and Investing in Somerset.

He said: "It was great to see so many entries from both Chamber members and non-members from all corners of the county and representing a wide range of sectors and industries.

"These awards are the largest in Somerset and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about our diverse business community and I'm looking forward to the grand final next month."

The 2021 finalists are:

• Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Albert Goodman):

Musgrove Willows, Westonzoyland

Bridges Electrical Engineers, Midsomer Norton

Clarity Cleans, Rooksbridge

• Small Business of the Year (sponsored by TDA):

Petruth Paddocks, Cheddar

Harry's Cider Company Ltd, Langport

Cognique, Prestleigh near Shepton Mallet

• Medium Business of the Year (sponsored by Brook Financial Management):

Filberts Fine Foods, Glastonbury

Impact Design and Marketing, Taunton

Race At Your Pace Ltd, Taunton

• Large Business of the Year (sponsored by PKF Francis Clark):

Somerset Larder, North Petherton

Singer Instruments, Roadwater

Marston Foods, Frome

• Charity of the Year (sponsored by Clarke Willmott):

ARC, Taunton

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Wellington,

PROMISEworks, Baltonsborough

• Best Use of Technology (sponsored by Porter Dodson):

Cardstream, Taunton

Clerksroom, Taunton

WPA, Taunton

• Employer of the Year (sponsored by Elite Staffing Solutions):

Singer Instruments, Roadwater

Poolbridge Accountancy Ltd, Highbridge

WPA, Taunton

• Investing in Somerset (sponsored by Hinkley Point C):

Somerset Larder, North Petherton

HOST Somerset, Bridgwater

The Bridge (Langport), Langport

• Start-up of the Year (sponsored by Teapot Creative):

Accar Food Commit, Wincanton

Kinetic Kitchen, Compton Martin

Plantside Café, Wellington

• Outstanding Achievement (sponsored by Weston College):

David Hutchins Innovation Ltd, Somerton

OTHO, Weston-super-Mare

Aspen Waite, Bridgwater

• Environmental Achievement (sponsored by Gravity)

C&D South West Ltd, Chard

Sopha, Highbridge

James Tobias Ltd, Bridgwater

• Service Excellence (sponsored by CETSAT):

Benchmark Project Management, Clevedon

The Castle at Taunton, Taunton

Somerset Early Scans Ltd, Bridgwater

• Somerset Manufacturer and Producer (sponsored by Garador):

Filberts Fine Foods, Glastonbury

Marston Foods, Frome

James Tobias Ltd, Bridgwater

• Outstanding COVID-19 Response (sponsored by Clarks International):

Petruth Paddocks Ltd, Cheddar

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Wellington

Cake Box Bakery, Yeovil