Towns and cities across the North-East are to vie for the title of the region's most enterprising area.

Regional development agency One NorthEast is co-ordinating part of the 2005 British Capital of Enterprise awards.

Yorkshire Forward will search for the best entrant for its region, which will include entries from North Yorkshire.

The winners of the North-East and Yorkshire areas will be pitted against successful competitors from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The RDAs will be working with potential candidates to provide advice and support on entry criteria before selecting winners this autumn.

The competition, organised by Enterprising Britain, is intended to recognise and celebrate enterprise achievement throughout the regions of the UK.

Alan Clarke, chief executive of One NorthEast said: "A modern dynamic economy needs a strong entrepreneurial base and one of the key priorities of One NorthEast through its regional economic strategy is to create a new entrepreneurial culture for the region.

"Enterprise qualities such as a can-do mindset are essential life qualities for the 21st Century, and essential to the future success of our region."

More competition details can be found on: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/enterprise