A NUMBER of Gwent companies have reached the final in various categories of Business Awards for Wales.

The winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner and award ceremony on Friday, May 18, at Cardiff International Arena.

The awards, now in their fourth year, honour and acknowledge the very best in Welsh business.

Mark Furnival, head of sales and marketing at organisers Whitbread Walker, said: "This year, scores of entries have been received from Gwent and across the Principality, representing all sectors of business in Wales.

"The overwhelming response to the Business Awards and the outstanding quality of entries clearly demonstrates that Gwent and all parts of Wales harbour a wealth of business success in entrepreneurship and has all the necessary attributes to be a driving forces in Europe."