THE seventh annual Dorset Venus Awards have been launched to celebrate the county’s brightest business women.

Nominations are open following a party which attracted 115 guests to Playgolf Bournemouth.

The awards, in association with Mercedes-Benz of Poole, celebrate the contribution women make to the economy.

Guests and sponsors were entertained by Polly Morris, who is known for her observational and comedy songs, and who wrote a song especially for the occasion.

Nominees will compete in up to 15 categories including New Business, Small Business, Inspirational Woman, Online Media and Digital Business, Manager, Business Mother, Company, Inspirational Woman in Technology, Musical Talent, Customer Service, Employer, Entrepreneur, Marketing and PR, Professional and Director.

A new category has been introduced in Dorset this year – Inspirational Woman in Technology (STEM disciplines).

Anyone can nominate a friend, client or family member.

Martin White, dealer principal of associate sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Poole, said: “We are very excited to be a part of the Venus Awards 2016 and to celebrate local working women in business.

“Our industry is historically a male dominated environment and we are working very hard to change that. If you visit our business you will see many examples of this this and I think we have a number of women in the business worthy of a nomination, or even a win.”

Hayley O’Shea, head of PR at Talbot Heath School, which is sponsoring this year’s Business Mother of the Year title, said f the launch: “There was a real buzz, a room full of wonderful, hard-working, fabulous women – and some great men too.“Being a mum is the most important job in the world; our girls leave Talbot Heath as confident, compassionate, capable young ladies – characteristics that they may need in future years to juggle a career and family life.”

Samantha West, marketing manager at Atlas Electronik UK, which is sponsoring the new Inspirational Woman in Technology category, said: “We look forward to receiving nominations for outstanding women that have made a real contribution covering the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.”

The charity sponsor for 2016 is BOO, whose aim is to help African children who are disadvantaged through poverty.

The awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the BIC on Thursday, October 20.

Nominations can be made at venusawards.co.uk/dorset