Entrepreneur and co-star of TV’s The Apprentice Karren Brady will present this year’s WorldPay business awards for small firms.

She will give a keynote speech at the awards ceremony in May where winners of the Federation of Small Businesses competition will be revealed.

The four categories will recognise business innovation, young entrepreneur, micro business and online business. Businesses have until January 31 to enter online at fsbworldpayawards.co.uk.

Karren Brady said: “I know all too well from my role as the small business ambassador to the Conservative Party that SMEs and entrepreneurs are the backbone to our economy and they should be championed and acknowledged for their contributions – which is exactly what these awards set out to do.”

Earlier this week Prime Minister David Cameron praised the contribution of small business at the FSB policy conference.

He said: "The future of Britain's economy depends on Britain's small businesses - on those with the courage to strike out and start their own thing, who work all hours to succeed, who through love, sweat and tears make their business grow.

" We need you to keep on creating good private sector jobs, so that more people can earn a living for their families and have financial security for the future."

Each category winner will receive £4,500, plus a half-day marketing workshop, with the overall winner receiving an extra £5,000