INTERNATIONAL traders to corner shops are jostling for supremacy in the contenders list for the Guardian Business Awards 2003.

Major players such as the Cruden Group, construction experts behind the Ryfields Retirement Village and the Rock Oil company, whose head office is in Priestley Street, are among the nominations.

But there are also some familiar names whose work and contribution to life in Warrington is known outside professional circles.

Just 12 months after celebrating their centenary, Warrington Borough Transport have been shortlisted for distinction.

Last year the bus operator raised its profile considerably, launching a centenary vehicle and ran a number of services recreating the first tram voyages in Warrington.

WBT has also recently launched a town centre shuttle service linking Centre Park and Warrington's rail stations.

Officials at Warrington Wolves will be hoping to repeat their better performances on the pitch this season with a further triumph at the business awards.

The community programme promoted by the Wilderspool club, has been the envy of the Super League, winning a clutch of distinctions.

Schemes such as Primary Link and Try Hard, offering coaching and community involvement in primary and secondary schools respectively, their Playing for Success centre and Girls Play League saw them scoop the league's outstanding community programme award for the third year running.

And the future couldn't be brighter for chief executive Andy Gatcliffe and the board as they see their new Winwick Road stadium take shape.

The club has also vowed that Warrington traders and suppliers will get first shout when it comes to equipping and supplying the new ground, which is set for completion later this year.

Once again the charity shops run by St Rocco's Hospice are in the running for recognition.

The hospice has a furniture store in Griffiths Street, Latchford, and shops in Longford Street, Knutsford Road, Latchford, Hood Manor centre in Great Sankey, London Road, Stockton Heath, The Cross, Lymm and Birchwood Mall.

Another contender is Rawwater Engineering Company, of Warrington Road, Culcheth, run by Bob Eden.

Their potential has already been recognised by a £45,000 grant from the Small Business Service's Smart programme, which is being used to develop a system where metal alloys can be used to plug abandoned oil wells.

As well as the town's major traders, more traditional pursuits and family firms are represented on the list of possible award winners.

One is the 70-year-old Bessie Ardern's Bakery, in Willis Street, Fairfield, now run by Joanne and John Hull.

Earlier this year they demonstrated their role in the community by donating exercise books to St Elphin's Fairfield CE Primary, which their sons Lawrence, aged three, and James, aged five, both attend.

And while this will have no bearing on any awards decision, Ardern's has a keen following on the Guardian editorial floor, where it's known as the Secret Pie Shop!

Previous overall and category award winners - such as Imagine 8, Nu-Light Systems and Croft Engineering Services, are also returning for another shot at glory.