FIVE women from the county have been short-listed for inaugural awards which recognise the achievements of female entrepreneurs in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The Enterprising Women Excellence Awards, a new initiative from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, will take place at Eastwood Hall Conference Centre on Friday.

Five of the nine finalists are from Derbyshire. They include Maryanne Stokes from Vital Earth in Ashbourne, who has been short-listed in the Enterprising Business Woman of the Year category.

Theresa Peltier from Derbyshire Constabulary and Kate Shaw from Treetops Hospice in Ripley are both up for Enterprising Woman in the Community. Vanda Hollinshead-Rowell from ActionCoach in Derby and Lynne Montgomery from Scented Willow in Ripley are up for the Enterprising Woman with Determination title.

The awards will be presented by Dawn Whitemore of the event sponsor, University of Derby Corporate.