A new award is on offer to companies across Oxfordshire which devote time and efforts to forging links with the community, writes David Duffy.

The Midlands Business in the Community award will go to the organisation scoring the most points in the society section of the Midlands Excellence Awards, which are presented on November 8.

Entrants are all users of the European Excellence Model a management model that enables firms to scrutinise all aspects of their operation, including processes, customer service and people management.

Companies traditionally score highly in these areas, but many fall down in the category which examines a company's impact on society.

Midlands Excellence, organiser of the annual awards, is keen to encourage more firms to give back something worthwhile to their communities.

Chief executive Ian Nield said: "A lot of businesses put in a great deal of hard work in developing strategies to tackle areas like customer satisfaction and leadership.

"But although some firms do get involved with the community, it is often as an optional extra and nowhere near as much thought or strategic planning goes into developing this area."

For more information, call Mr Nield on 01827 720833.