Finalists have been revealed in the search to find the best businesses in Cumbria.

The nail-biting wait is over for firms large and small from all corners of Cumbria as we reveal the final shortlist for this year's inaugural in-cumbria Business Awards.

More than 200 firms threw their hats in the ring for the prestigious awards which celebrate the best businesses in Cumbria.

Judges have examined the entries and have shortlisted entrants in 16 categories covering all sectors of business and industry to three finalists in each category.

A top panel of distinguished business leaders from across the county will now visit all the shortlisted businesses over the coming weeks.

There are 45 entrants on the shortlist with one prize, the Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria, only revealed on the night of the awards.

The nominees will find out how well they have done in a glittering ceremony at The Halston Aparthotel in Warwick Road, Carlisle.

James Higgins, group editor of CN Group, praised all those who entered the awards, with the high quality of entries meaning judges had to make difficult decisions on which businesses made it to the final.

He said: "Well done to everyone who was nominated for an award. I know that the judges had to make some extremely tough decisions before they decided who would be lucky enough to make the final contest.

"The quality of entrant this year has been extremely high, which is a tribute to the amazing businesses - both large and small - which exist in our county.

"I cannot wait until the ceremony in November where we will find out who the winners are."

The awards night will be hosted by BBC Media Editor Amol Rajan.

Simon Harrison, the owner of The Halston which will host the glittering event, is also looking forward to the awards ceremony.

He said: "It is great for Cumbria, we are very excited. The quality of the function and the scale of the event will really put Carlisle on the map."

This point was echoed by the venue's operations manager Becky Langley, who revealed that the hotel is preparing a special 'Taste of Cumbria' menu for the evening, which will showcase the best of Cumbria's quality produce.

She added: "It is really nice to have it here and I think we will be able to show that The Halston can host such a big occasion.

"It will be fantastic for us to showcase what we can do as a business."

Best Exporter

Primasonics

Trade Copiers

Zuza Trading

Best Marketing

Cumberland Building Society

The Lanes

The Lake District China Forum

Best Manufacturing

Oxley Group

TSP Engineering Ltd

Cumbrian Stone

Best Innovation

Bender UK

Forth

Simply Good Food/Peter Sidwell

Best community involvement

PPM Ltd

More Handles

Cartmell Shepherd

Best New Business

Lakeland Mues

Taylor Made Pet Care

Adamedia

Best Apprentice/Trainee

Danyelle Haines - GSK

Dylan Atkinson - Capita

Jade Haughan - H&H Group

Best Tourism and Hospitality

Cedar Manor

Zeffirellis Ltd

Appleby Manor Hotel and Garden Spa

Best Customer Service Excellence

H&H Insurance Brokers

Caterite Food and Wine Service Ltd

The Plastics Bottle Company

Best Family Business

Out of Eden

Stalkers Transport Services

Roland Hill Limited

Best Business Person

Amyn Fazal - Penrith Building Society

Richard Fletcher - Caterite Food and Wine Service

John Coughlan - TSP Engineering

Best Professional Services Compan y

Prima Uno

Armstrong Watson

Burnetts

Best Social Enterprise

Brampton and Beyond Community Trust

Inspira

Cumbria Health On Call Limited

Best SME

Solway Communications

More Handles Limited

Traybakes Ltd

Best Large Business

Impact

Cumberland Building Society

Morgan Sindall

Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria

Revealed at the gala dinner at the inaugural in-cumbria business awards at The Halston, Carlisle on November 9.