A SEARCH is on to find the region's top apprentices and employers.

The Learning Skills Council (LSC) is urging young workers and their bosses to enter the East of England Apprenticeship Awards.

There are four categories depending on company size and four categories open to apprentices including apprentice of the year and personal achiever of the year.

For more information or to enter visit apprenticeships.org.uk/awards before the February 29 closing date.

BUSINESSES are being invited to learn how to grow and develop at an ideas conference.

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is Playing to Win, on March 4.

Richard Ellis, EEDA chairman, said: "This exciting event will help to inspire change in business by giving the leaders of our region's companies the opportunity to meet their peers, share ideas and interact with some of the East of England's most ambitious business people."

The event will be held from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Tattersalls in Newmarket.

For more information or to register call 01223 234193 or email playingtowin@eeda.org.uk

EVERY worker should know where the office first aid kit is, according to the British Red Cross.

The group said less than 60 per cent of workers know where the first aid kit is and revealed in 2006-07 there were 150,000 injuries at work, with nine million working days lost.

A survey said more than half of workers were not trained in first aid, despite 73 per cent saying they would go on a course if it was offered by their employer.

UPMARKET Colchester estate agency Engel and Volkers believe it has made its first house sale in record time.

The new company, which opened in Crouch Street in November last year, said it completed a sale within ten working days, even though the client was on holiday for half the time.

It put a three-bed home on the market on December 7, 2007, which had an offer on January 14, 2008. It sold for around £330,000, which was completed by January 31.

A MOTHER-of-two has opened her first business with the support of her family.

Jennifer Wharrier, 45, of Clay Pits Way, Braintree, officially opened Ladyshapers toning centre, in New Street, Braintree with the help of her husband Nick, 52, and her children Rachel, 24, and Matthew, 22.

A COLCHESTER design company was awarded a contract to rebrand a high-end car sales firm.

Red Tiger Design, established six years ago, changed Supercars UK to Nine 12 Supercars. It works on creative, branding and marketing contracts for businesses throughout the country.