TEST Valley Business Awards has announced its charity of the year two months before the winners are announced.

The awards – set up to celebrate the best in the business across the borough – is in its 14th year and run entirely by volunteers.

Now, as the gala dinner and awards ceremony gets closer, the awards has revealed that its charity of the year is James's Place Community Group.

A non-profit group set up to facilitate friendships and promote opportunities for people with learning or physical disabilities, it will benefit from the donations at the awards ceremony in September.

Based near Andover, James's Place will also speak to guests about its work across the borough during the ceremony on September 13.

Danielle Rolfe, of James's Place said the opportunity would help to raise awareness of the work the charity does.

She said: "It means so much to have been chosen as the charity of the year, not only as this will provide welcome and valuable funds that will help us to offer more to the members of the community group, but also as it means it will help raise awareness that we are here and available to support those with disabilities in our local community."

The gala dinner and awards ceremony is being held at the Museum of Army Flying and each ticket is priced at £55.