TWENTY-SIX finalists — including a company from Bude —representing the gold standard of Cornish business will be holding their breath this week as the illustrious Cornwall Bus­iness Awards are presented.

Tonight (Thursday), 300 of the county's business elite will pack St Mellion International Hotel, Golf and Country Club — all eager to see who scoops which prize.

A total of 15 awards will be presented, including the coveted Winner of Winners award, carrying with it the title of Cornwall's Business of the Year.

Representing local interest is Bude-based Zoeftig, one of the world's leading manufacturers of public seating and nominated for the Best Exporter award.

Paul Williams, CEO, said: "This is a huge honour; we're absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for a Cornwall Business Award. Zoeftig's 40 years old this year, but we've made such fantastic progress in the last three or so that it feels like we're at the start of something new and exciting."