THE wait will soon be over for the recipient of this year's Newcomer to Business Award.

The Northern Echo-sponsored award will be presented to the winner at the sixth annual Business Show in front of more than 350 businessmen and women.

The judging panel has met to make their decision, which will remain a closely guarded secret until the black tie event, at the Tall Trees Hotel in Yarm, tomorrow night.

The judges include Craig Ramsay, from the Bank of Scotland; Keith Robinson, of Keith Robinson and Co; Robin Bloom, from Dickinson Dees; Hilary Dunne, marketing manager at the Business Show's organisers, Enterprise Event Management; and Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo.

Mr Barron said: "It has been difficult for the judging panel to choose an overall winner for the Newcomer to Business Award.

"We deliberated for a long time before reaching a final decision, which will be revealed tomorrow night."

He said: "All the nominees are involved in quality businesses and we wish each of them continued success in the future."

The shortlist of five comprises Ray Newell, of Signs Express; Robert Hardman, from All Events Management; Deborah Allen, of Nail Bar 1; June Milner, of the Belasis Bistro; and Paul Welch, from SSG Technologies.

Speakers at this year's event include Sir John Banham, chairman of Whitbread plc and ECI Ventures, and Joe Docherty, chief executive of the new Tees Valley Urban Regeneration Company.

* The major sponsors for the Tees Valley Business Show are Dickinson Dees, with associate sponsors including One NorthEast, The Northern Echo, Keith Robinson and Co, Bank of Scotland, NatWest and the University of Northumbria.