A small Sussex printing firm is up against two business giants in the final round of the government sponsored Business in the Community awards.

Beacon Press has been named along with Scottish Power and the Co-operative Bank as a contender for the environment category.

The Uckfield company, headed by Mark Fairbrass, has pioneered a number of schemes to cut waste and pollution, including using solvent-free inks and using paper from sustainable sources.

Its achievement in reaching the final has been marked with the presentation of the new Big Tick mark.

The mark can be used only by companies that have reached a measurable standard of excellence and it indicates an example of best practice in the field of corporate responsibility.

Business in the Community chief executive Julia Cleverdon said:

"Beacon Press has passed the rigorous assessment process and demonstrated the positive role business can have in society.

"The Big Tick will endorse and promote its achievement."

The winner will be announced on July 11.

Mr Fairbrass said:

"We are a relatively small company so are proud to be competing in our final against leading national businesses."

Beacon has already won 20 national and international awards for its environmental management programme which has made it one of the UK's greenest companies.