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 (see Friday's Gazette or link on this site).

Now we want you to choose which business is the best and cast your vote, either by ringing a special low cost voteline (0845 124 0050 starting Thursday) or visiting the contest website at www.4moneybusiness.co.uk (available now) - looking under Westmoreland.

Whichever method you choose, you must register your vote before Monday, September 25.

Our entries and their codes are:

Booths, Windermere - 6055;

Bradford & Bingley, Kendal - 6056;

Lakeland Ltd, Windermere - 6057;

Renoirs Coffee Shop, Kendal - 6058;

Union Jack Cafe, Kendal - 6059;

Wheatsheaf Inn, Ingleton - 6060.

The business winner will scoop:

£ 500 prizemoney, courtesy of Barclays Bank.

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.

£1,000 of advertising in The Westmorland Gazette.

Voters win too.

You have a chance to win a fantastic eight-day shopping trip to Toronto and Niagara Falls.

All you have to do to have a chance of winning is to use your vote.

The winner of the super holiday will be selected at random from the list of names who register their vote.The holiday includes return flights from Gatwick to Toronto, six nights accommodation, return transfers between airport and hotel, excursion to Niagara Falls and all air passenger duty and taxes.

All you have to take care of is your food and spending money.

Once the winner is chosen a booking form will be sent for the lucky winner to complete together with all details of the trip.

By the way, the holiday is for two people.

So get voting - deadline is Sept.

25.