The Monmouthshire Business Awards are set to be launched this week.

The awards are supported by Monmouthshire County Council and celebrate local businesses across all sectors.

They are free to enter and are open to businesses of all sizes based in the county of Monmouthshire which can demonstrate 'innovation, talent and enterprise'.

Previous winners have included a mix of start-ups and sole traders, in addition to some of the county’s largest and most influential organisations.

This year’s launch event – hosted by former ITV Wales broadcaster Hywel James – takes place on Thursday, May 14 at St Pierre, A Marriott Golf and Country Club.

The event, from 6pm-7.30pm, is an opportunity for local businesses to network and to meet guests including senior members of Monmouthshire County Council, category sponsors and representatives from Welsh Government.

Tickets to the launch are free but must be booked in advance by emailing info@monbizawards.co.uk

Martin Lewis, whose Usk-based heating start-up company Homeglow Products won ‘Most Promising Start-Up’ last year, said: “Winning an MBA has helped Homeglow grow with confidence on a regional and national scale, and we are using our success in our advertising and business cards as well as on our new website."

This year’s awards feature 11 categories and are backed by title sponsor MCC and category sponsors including Hicks Logistics, Celtic Manor Resort, Monmouthshire Housing, Spectrum Internet, Reid Lifting, Interserve, Acorn and Coleg Gwent.