THE search for the winner of The Westmorland Gazette's We're in Business award is nearing its climax - and we want readers to help us choose the cream of the crop.

Gazette Business Editor Jim Smith has compiled profiles of each of the six local businesses shortlisted for the award.

The In-business button on our home page will give you all the details.

Now we want you to choose which business is the best and cast your vote, either by ringing a special low cost voteline or visiting our website at www.4moneybusiness.co.uk.

The winner will scoop:

l £500 prizemoney, courtesy of Barclays Bank.

l Places on three business skills seminars and a total of five hours of free business counselling and advice, worth a total of £ 500, from Business Link South Lakeland and Eden.

l £1,000 of advertising in The Westmorland Gazette.

The winner will also automatically be included in the shortlisting for this year's favourite local business in the national final of the We're in Business competition, due to be held at the Millennium Dome in November.

The City of London as part of its commitment to the Millennium Experience National Programme supports these awards, which celebrate and promote the success of local businesses of all types and sizes.

And everyone who casts a vote in the competition will also stand a chance of winning a prize.