THE deadline for this year’s North-East Equality Awards has been extended due to the high level of demand from the region’s businesses.

Award organisers Equality North-East said the number of inquiries from companies and organisations had been unprecedented, and as a result, it had extended the deadline for entries to July 13.

The awards, sponsored by The Northern Echo, commend and celebrate good practice being carried out by employers, training providers and individuals from across the region, who have taken steps to stamp out discrimination in the workplace and to recruit people from all walks of life.

Since their inception in 2004, the awards have grown each year, and this year looks set to follow that trend with more entries being received than ever before.

This year, to help and support groups interested in entering the awards, a series of drop-in sessions are being held around the region by notfor- profit organisation Equality North-East to help with the application process.

Liz Reay, chief executive of Equality North-East, said that with the Equality Bill making its way through Parliament and due to enter the statute books by early 2011 as the Equality Act, the need for companies to look at their equality and diversity practices has never been greater.

“More and more employers are recognising that good equality practices are actually good for business, particularly during these tough economic times, and this good practice needs to be celebrated and showcased,” she said.

Categories open for entry this year are:

● Employers of 51 to 250 staff;

● Employers of up to 50 staff; ● Learning providers of up to 50 staff;

● Colleges and learning providers of more than 50 staff;

● Outstanding contribution by a larger organisation;

● The TUC/unionlearn award;

● Individuals who have made a difference;

● Smarter working practices;

● Work/life balance achievement.

To support the application process, Equality North-East will be holding drop-in sessions at:

● Equality North-East headquarters, Metropolitan House, Longrigg, Swalwell, near Gateshead, on Wednesday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 7.

● National Glass Centre, Sunderland, on Monday, July 6.

● Middlesbrough Teaching and Learning Centre, Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, on Thursday, July 9.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Gateshead Hilton, on October 23.

To enter the awards, go to equality-ne.co.uk/awards