AN MP is urging manufacturing companies in his constituency to test their competitiveness in a national award scheme.

John Cummings, MP for Easington, has called on local firms to enter the Insititution of Mechanical Engineers (ImechE) Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

Now in its 26th year, the award scheme evaluates UK manufacturers' competitiveness in best practice and innovation across nine industrial disciplines.

They include customer focus; product innovation; process innovation, resource efficiency; people effectiveness; IT change management, financial performance and best partnership between business and education.

All manufacturing companies based in the UK are eligible to enter, no matter what their size and it is an award to encourage small businesses to grow and prosper.

Entry is free and it is supported by a group of organisations including the Department of Trade and Industry.

Mr Cummings said: "Manufacturing is vitally important to the UK economy.

"Not only does it account for 20 per cent of the GDP, but the UK cannot continue to prosper in the international marketplace relying on service industries alone.

"Awards such as these reward the hard work and efforts of all those in manufacturing in the UK.''

Applications and inquiries can be directed to Stephanie Levin at the ImechE by calling 0207-304 6815.