The Bicester Business Awards are being revived after a gap of seven years thanks to energetic work by organisers.

The awards were last held in 2003 and have previously been presented by Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi and Falklands veteran Simon Weston.

Sponsors of next year’s awards will include Bicester Country Club, Bicester Chamber of Commerce, Bicester Vision and the Oxford Mail’s sister paper, the Bicester Advertiser.

Keith Watson, chairman of Bicester Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’m delighted to see these awards back again, having been involved with the earlier awards in 2002 and 2003.

“At a time of economic downturn we need to let everyone know the good things that are happening in business within our town and surrounding villages.”

The country club will host an awards ceremony on April 23 next year – St George’s Day. Awards include Business of the Year, Best Start up/small business, Employee of the Year, Best Community Initiative, Best Customer Service and Best Young Achiever.

For more details, call 01295 753750 or email Rachel@bicestervision.co.uk Bob Langton, chairman of Bicester Vision and the awards’ planning group, said: “The previous events were such a success it’s a great pity that they lapsed.”