HAWKSHEAD Relish Company has been shortlisted for the 2017 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

The business will be up for the Family Entrepreneur of the Year award.

More than 1,000 businesses in the UK entered, throughout a variety of categories.

Now in its fifth year, the awards has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs, many of whom are now household names.

Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane of The Cambridge Satchel Company, James Watt of BrewDog and Alexander Solomou of TheLADBible Group.

Mark Whitehead MBE, managing director of Hawkshead Relish, said: “It is fabulous for a small family business like ours to be recognised in these awards. We are so proud of the achievement for our whole team here at Hawkshead Relish.”

Creator of the awards, Francesca James, said: “We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves.

"This year has seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.”

Ms James added: “We cannot wait to celebrate entrepreneurship across Great Britain with them, and put a spotlight on the incredible talent within the British entrepreneur ecosystem.”

Gordon Merrylees, of NatWest said: "I want to thank all of the entrepreneurs who entered this year and congratulate those who have been shortlisted. I look forward to seeing them at the regional finals.”

He added: “It is clear that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and NatWest is thrilled to be able to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses, that are the lifeblood of the UK economy, as they start, scale and succeed.”

The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards will celebrate entrepreneurship across a number of categories at five gala finals across the UK. They will be in Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and London.