These sustainable ventures, which trade with a social purpose and reinvest profits, now number about 55,000, generating a combined turnover of £27billion. They operate in a wide variety of fields, including farmers’ markets, recycling, transport and childcare.

A £10,000 prize will go to the winner of this year’s Social Enterprising Awards, backed by the Government, NatWest and the RBS, and organised by the Social Enterprise Coalition, the national campaign body for the sector. Three runners-up will receive £5,000 each and there is a new £1,000 prize — Social Enterprise in Schools Award.

To enter, visit: www.enterprisingsolutions.org