VETERAN broadcaster Fred Dinenage employed his interviewing skills at the launch of the 2013 Test Valley Business Awards.

ITV Meridian News presenter Fred was at Romsey’s White Horse Hotel on Tuesday for the launch ceremony, where he spoke with some of last year’s winners.

These included Sandra Sassow, boss of SEaB Energy, manufacturer of the Muckbuster self-contained anaerobic digester, who said success in last year’s awards had been a “real stepping stone”

towards global recognition.

Since last year, the firm, based at the University of Southampton Science Park in Chilworth, has seen its product selected as one of nine “game-changing” innovations in sustainability initiative backed by NASA, Nike and the US government.

“The Test Valley Awards got us noticed in our sector and globally,” Sandra told Fred.

Earlier, in her opening address, Test Valley mayor Dorothy Baverstock stressed that the awards were not only simple and free to enter but this year, the awards were supporting the Hampshire-based children’s cancer charity, the Joe Glover Trust.

This year there are six categories to enter (sponsors shown in brackets): l New Business of the Year (Test Valley Borough Council) l Customer Excellence (Snows Group) l Business in the Community (Churchill Retirement Living) l Employer of the Year (Kier) Innovation & Technology (University of Southampton Science Park) l Small Business of the Year (Hampshire County Council).

The closing date for entries is 22 April.

All entries received by 8 March will go into a draw to win a night for two at Chilworth Manor Hotel.

Fred will preside over the awards ceremony at The Lights in Andover on 2 July.

Full details of the awards can be found at tvbawards.org.uk.