The search is on to find the UK's enterprise champions, with the launch of the DTI's Enterprising Britain 2007 competition. This year's competition was launched by Industry and Regions Minister Margaret Hodge from West Kilbride, the winner of last year's hotly contested competition.

The competition, a key part of government's drive to increase entrepreneurship in the UK, identifies areas of enterprise excellence: those places that have created jobs, brought communities together, and made a real difference to local businesses and local people.

Margaret Hodge said:

"There are cities, towns and communities throughout the country that have placed enterprise at their heart and helped make Britain a better place to live and work. Enterprising Britain is a great chance to celebrate this.

"I encourage all those innovative projects out there that have used the spirit of enterprise to make a difference to people's lives to enter this year's competition and have a chance to be crowned the UK's enterprise champion."

Twelve regional winners will be selected in competitions run by Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations around the country over the next four months. In September a panel of expert judges will select a national winner from the regional finalists and the winner of Enterprising Britain 2007 will be announced. The overall UK winner will then represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards at the end of the year.

National competition judge, Lynne Franks, entrepreneur and social enterprise ambassador added:

"Having been involved with Enterprising Britain since it began in 2004, I have been thoroughly impressed with the innovative projects that have made a significant impact to the UK's economy and have created a "can do" attitude in society.

"It is a pleasure to recognise and reward these initiatives that have worked together, pooled resources and created sustainable communities. I'll be looking for examples where enterprise has been key in regenerating a whole area, and has had a really positive impact on all aspects of the local community. I'm looking forward to seeing all the excellent examples out there."

Enterprising Britain 2006 winner, West Kilbride, managed to overcome above average unemployment and a town centre blighted by empty and unkempt shops by using a specialised theme to revitalise and transform itself into a thriving community.

The regional heats for the competition will run from 31 January to 31 May and projects can enter via their local Regional Development Agency, the Welsh Development Agency, Invest Northern Ireland or Scottish Enterprise.

For further information on the Enterprising Britain competition please visit our Enterprising Britain pages or contact Nicola Green or Kirsty MacLeod at Geronimo Communications on 020 7299 8764 / 07875 463 744 or kirsty.macleod@geronimocommunications.com

For further information on the government's enterprise policy, please contact the DTI press office Tel: 0207 2155614. Out of office 0207 2153505

For further information on the involvement of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in Enterprising Britain, contact Alison Culshaw at the RDA Secretariat; Tel 020 7654 1551; alison.culshaw@rda-secretariat.com