Small business owners are being urged to apply for awards recognising their contribution to local communities.

The Dragon Awards, run by the City of London Corporation, are open to businesses across east London and aims to recognise the contribution of companies to the areas in which they are based.

Organisers want more small businesses to apply, after they were under-represented in previous years.

Those companies not currently promoting corporate social responsibility are being encouraged to do more to promote volunteering in their communities.

Applications for the awards are now open until May 28, with a range of categories up for grabs.

For more information, visit: www.dragonawards.org.uk.