THE Altrincham and Sale Chamber of Commerce has announced that Virgin Airlines is to sponsor this year's business awards.

The awards will take place at Altrincham's Cresta Court Hotel on October 16.

Sue Aldridge, Chamber president, said: “I am delighted to announce Virgin Atlantic as sponsor of our awards which are now in their third year and going from strength to strength.

We hope this will be the start of a longer term working relationship with Virgin Atlantic and the chamber.

"We are also privileged to have Mr Gordon Burns back as our host for the evening, who has supported us from the beginning and will join Virgin to announce the winner on the night.”

Virgin Atlantic is donating a pair of flights to any destination in the Virgin network, which will be given away during the ever popular 'heads and tails' competition.

Darren Gilbert, senior manager of Little Red and OffShore Marine, Virgin Atlantic Airways, said: “Virgin Atlantic is delighted to be able to participate in this year’s Altrincham and Sale Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, this has been a truly exciting year for Virgin Atlantic and we delighted to be involved.

“Air connectivity is vital for business success in this global marketplace and we are very proud of Virgin Atlantic Little Red, which provides important links with London and key international markets for Manchester and the surrounding areas."

Nominations for the awards are now closed, but tickets are still for sale and can be

purchased via altrinchamchamber.co.uk/thebusinessawards or email anne@altrinchamchamber.co.uk.

Attendance costs £45 per person, or one receive one free place if you book a table of 10.