Croydon Council's support for business growth in the borough has won top level recognition from the Labour Party.

The council has been shortlisted for one of the political party's annual best practice awards in its annual competition to acknowledge outstanding achievement in local government.

Croydon has been nominated as one of 18 finalists in the 2001/02 awards from over 200 Labour controlled councils in Britain.

Croydon's work to foster business growth has recently been short-listed for the government's prestigious beacon status, and its distinction in the local and global' development category is seen as a further endorsement of its approach.

Council leader, Hugh Malyan, will be attending the national local government conference in Cardiff early in February to find out whether Croydon's efforts are the best in the country.

Coun Hugh Malyan (pictured) said: "Croydon has a unique record for supporting trade missions as a productive way of encouraging small firms to benefit from the global economy and to create local jobs and wealth for the community.

"We have long believed that local councils have a critical role to play in economic development and appreciate the need for longer term investment in activities to build the local economy."

A recent trade mission to the Caribbean resulted in more than £2million worth of business orders.

Coun Malyan said: "That's a huge payload for the local economy that would not otherwise have been achieved."

And next month another mission of 15 businesses will be heading for Eastern Europe, visiting Poland and the Czech Republic for the first time.

Coun Malyan said: "We've developed an enviable track record of successful trade missions and we are seeking Government logistical and financial support for three more missions, including one to South Africa.

"This award reflects enormous credit on the work that members and officers have done to develop this approach. It also enhances Croydon's record in the eyes of the government.

"Those places with a record for effective delivery are most likely to be able to influence Westminster and secure additional advantages for their taxpayers."