Businesses are being urged by regional experts to take their place at the heart of the community.

Bosses across Oxfordshire were interviewed as part of a new regional survey for the South East of England Development Agency, Seeda.

Eighty per cent believed companies should play an active part in schools and community projects.

In the county, 74 per cent of leaders say that Oxfordshire is a good place in which to invest or run a successful organisation, while 11 per cent think it is average.

The main factors which enable Oxfordshire companies to thrive and grow were listed as: customer focus, according to 32 per cent of study participants, creativity and innovation (26 per cent) and good recruitment opportunities and exporting /international trade (21 per cent).

Nearly half of business leaders interviewed in Oxfordshire (42 per cent) said business prospects in the coming six months look the same, while 11 per cent said the outlook was better. A total of 26 per cent of those interviewed said the forecast was more bleak.

The research is published as Seeda issues a last call for entries for its first South East Business Awards, aimed at finding companies making an outstanding contribution to the region.

Jeff Alexander of Seeda, said: "This research highlights the factors that make a thriving environment and pinpoints areas for development."

The eight award categories include: International Business, Manufacturing, Excellence in Skills and Development; Young Entrepreneur; Sustainable Business: Workplace and Community; Sustainable Business: Environment and Business Growth.

Companies can apply online for the awards at www.southeastbusinessawards.co.uk The closing date is November 28