FINGERS will be crossed across Plymouth this week as the city waits to hear if it has been named the most enterprising place in the UK.

The Enterprising Britain awards ceremony is to take place at 11, Downing Street, in London, on Thursday – and Plymouth has a good chance of taking top prize.

Plymouth won a place in the final of the competition when it was named the most enterprising place in the South West at the start of the summer.

If it wins the Enterprising Britain crown the city will then go on to represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards – a major accolade.

Those representing Plymouth on Thursday evening will be Elaine Budd from Prensus, Mike Leece, chairman of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Andrew Ashley, from the city's Business Advice Centre.

Organiser of the Plymouth Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp, Sue Windley will also be there – as will Wendy Matthews, from the South West Regional Development Agency.

Only 12 locations in the country remain in the final. Plymouth was named the most enterprising place in the South West in May, as part of the Government's Enterprising Britain competition.

Judges visited Plymouth at the end of June to decide how the city will fare when it comes to the grand final.

Enterprising Britain 2008 is a nationwide competition run by Make Your Mark on behalf of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Locally it is also run in partnership with the South West Regional Development Agency.

Now in its fourth year, the competition celebrates and rewards those places of enterprise excellence that have helped transform the social and economic fortunes of their area.

One of the key schemes which has got the city this far is the Plymouth Business Growth Project, which is focused on inspiring enterprise in Devonport and making Plymouth a desirable tourist destination.

The introduction of initiatives such as The Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp and the Plymouth Summer Festival have also been highlighted by judges.

Elaine Budd, Business Growth Project manager, said: "Our regional win in this competition is a just reward for the efforts of so many committed people across the city.

"When people from outside of the region review the work we have been doing and are so impressed it reminds us of the huge amount of effort that is being put in and the tremendous successes we have had in recent years.

"It is a reminder to celebrate that effort and to inspire others that we can make things happen by working together.

"This work provides a strong foundation for the new City Development Company to develop and take forward under the inspirational leadership of Paul Carroll."

Competition judge Polly Gowers, of social enterprise Everyclick, praised the depth of Plymouth's enterprise innovation. She said: "I applaud the entrepreneurial spirit and achievements of Plymouth.

"Through this year's competition I've been able to meet many inspirational people who are driving the economic and social transformations of the places in which they work and live.

"It is especially important in these times of global economic uncertainty that enterprise initiatives such as those instigated by Plymouth Business Growth Project are recognised, encouraged and rewarded."