THE Champagne is on ice and the preparations have begun for the biggest night in the Oxfordshire business calendar.

More than 160 companies and individuals have entered this year’s Oxfordshire Business Awards, one of the highest levels seen in recent years.

And judges have been bowled over by the quality as well as the quantity of applications.

The entries have now been whittled down to a shortlist of three in each of the 13 categories.

The winners will be announced at a gala event attended by hundreds of people at the Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford-on-Thames, on June 19.

Judging committee chairman Paul Lowe said: “This has been a remarkable year for the awards. The standard of entries has been phenomenal and the judging process has been more challenging than ever.

“What it has proved is that Oxfordshire is a great place to do business.

“There is plenty of evidence that there are a great number of companies thriving despite the recession, which is very encouraging for the future.

“Now we look forward to a great celebration of all that is good about the county’s business community.

“It promises to be a wonderful evening.”

For details of shortlisted firms, see the website oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk business@oxfordmail.co.uk