The search is on to find the UK city, town, place or area that best exemplifies spirit, with the launch today of the DTI's Enterprising Britain 2006 competition.

The competition is a key part of the 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.

Twelve regional winners will be selected in competitions run by Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations around the country over the next 4 months. In september a panel of expert judges will select a national winner form the regional finalists. The overall UK winner will then represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards at the end of the year.

Secretary of state for Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson, said of the competition launch:

"Enterprise and innovation are the key to the UK's future economic growth and success in today's global market. It is only by creating a 'can do' attitude in society that we can compete with the levels of entrepreneurship that can be seen in the US".

"The enterprising Britain competition is a great opportunity to celebrate some of the enterprise success stories that not only change the lives of those individuals directly involved, but also those of the wider community. Hopefully this will inspire many more people to take the plunge and turn their ideas into successful business ventures".

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

"Having started my own company at the age of 21 and never looked back, I know the personal value that entrepreneuralship can bring. What's more, through my work encouraging entrepreneurship amongst women through the SEED programme, I have also seen the difference it can make to society and our economy as a whole".

"The Enterprising Britain competition is a great way of shining a spotlight on the best work going on around the country to make Britain a more enterprising place. As a competition judge, I'll be looking for examples of 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".

The regional heats for the competition will run from 30 January to 31 May and teams can enter through their local Regional Development Agency, the Welsh Development Agency, Invest Northern Ireland or Scottish Enterprise.

Regional judging panels vary, but the national judging panel includes David Grayson, Lynne Franks, Sue Brwonson (Small Business Council), Kevin Steele (Enterprise Insight) and Stan Crawford (MD of Sherwood Energy Village).

The selected town, city or area must be able to demonstrate how it has affected a step change in its approach towards supporting & promoting enterprise over the last three years. The national nominations are based on how the nominated has demostrated:

 - that it faced the challenges of promoting enterprise in the areas

 - that it has formed partnmerships and policies to tackle those challenges

 - that its actions have had a positive impact in promoting enterprise.

For further information on the Enterprising Britain competition please visit:

http://www.sbs.gov.uk/enterprisingbritain