THE standard of entries has been described as "top drawer" by judges who announced the finalists for the first ever Surrey Digital Awards (SDAs) this week.
The seven contenders in each of the categories are now in with a chance of clinching gold, silver and bronze prizes at the inaugural winners' ceremony in March.
The SDAs, which is being supported by the Surrey Mirror, is the first and only scheme in the county to celebrate the online achievements of businesses, schools and charities.
All entries were submitted through the scheme's website www.surreydigitalawards.co.uk before being sent on to judges.
Ben Taub, one of the panel of independent judges scoring the entries, owns London-based digital agency The New Black. He was "very impressed" by the wide range of entries.
He said: "By and large, the standard of admissions were of a high quality and this is a great sign as well for the awards evening and the future of the competition.
"I particularly want to take my hat off to the many organisations out there who have managed to achieve so much online, with limited resources, just because of their innovation and sheer hard work. They thoroughly deserve the recognition that winning a Surrey Digital Award is going to bring them."
There are ten categories in the competition including "Use of Social Media for Business", "Mobile App", "Responsive Website", "School Education or Charity Website", "Small Business Website", and "Use of Video for Business".
Andy Pritchard from Premio 64, the organisation behind the awards, said he was "delighted" with the amount of interest in the competition.
He added: "Our panel of independent judges have now drawn up a shortlist of finalists in each category and to be honest I'm overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of entries we received.
"It is official, Surrey's got talent, digital talent, and going by the response from people across the county, a credible awards scheme showcasing the best of online is long overdue."
"I'm not surprised for one minute by the high standard of entries we've received because Surrey is one switched-on place and it's great that the best of the best will now have their moment in the sun, as it were."
The SDAs – supporters of which include Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Suit Recruit and the Surrey Mirror – will host the prize-giving evening at the Holiday Inn, Woking, on March 5.
For information about tickets for the event, visit www. surreydigitalawards.co.uk
Surrey Digital Awards 2015 Finalists
Website
Busylizzy
Camerich by Drum
Creative Minds
Deco Baby
Denbies Wine Estate
The Farnham Hub
SaidSo
Blog
Act One Adventures
CatN
John Carne
Ramsac
Stripey Stork
TaxHelp.uk.com
Wallflower Girl
Mobile App
Guitar Coach Magazine by Brand Vision
Kitty Powers' Matchmaker by Magic Notion
MemberMe by Busylizzy
Revise IT by Amsys
StaySafe Business by Safe Apps
WalkNRide
Worldly by Supergon
Online Business
Andertons Music Company
Deco Baby
Denbies Wine Estate
The Little British Company
The Pictures Associates
Pomegranate Living
Refreshed Direct
Responsive Website
Advantage Air Systems
Busylizzy
Camerich by Drum
John Carne
Minted Box
SaidSo
WWF UK
School, Education Or Charity Website
Chef Kennedy by Marie Darcy
Halow project
MINTclass
Oakleaf Enterprise
Stripey Stork
Surrey Youth Focus
WWF UK
Small Business Website
Act One Adventures
Advantage Air Systems
Drum
The Little British Company
Milly Bee
Pomegranate Living
The Tinderbox
Use of Social Media For Business
The Children's Trust
GFWilliams Photography
Oracle Group
Surrey Mummy
TaxHelp.uk.com
UHub Official
Veneficus
Use Of Video For Business
Andertons Music Company
Camerich by Drum
Paragon
Ramsac
Shootjam
SurreyTV
The Tinderbox
