Four highly-rated Bradford firms have a date with Chancellor Gordon Brown at Downing Street this week - and are set to be hailed shining lights of inner city business.

Bradford-based Impact Community Developments, PEC Building Services, SmartStyle Technology Training, and Regent Envelopes, of Shipley, are all included in this year's Inner City 100 index.

The project, led by regeneration think tank The New Economics Foundation (NEF), is the only index of the fastest growing businesses from Britain's most deprived areas.

The four firms will find out tomorrow where they appear in this year's rankings after taking part in two days of high-level policy and network events. It will conclude with a Downing Street reception and gala awards ceremony attended by Mr Brown who is expected to deliver a keynote speech.

Two of the firms which will make into the Inner City 100, PEC and Impact, are no strangers to awards ceremonies. Impact, a social enterprise founded in 1997 which provides housing, training, and employment opportunities for youngsters who might otherwise be homeless, has been honoured twice in the last 12 months. It picked up accolades from the Department of Trade and Industry in its social enterprise awards and a 'green apple' prize for its environmental work.

Shop fitting firm PEC has also enjoyed a remarkable year of growth, including a lucrative new contract with home improvement firm Magnet.

"This is great news," said managing director Balbir Panesar. "It is another award on top of the others that we have won this year. This is a big national award, so it is really special and it is down to the team effort of the whole company."

SmartStyle, which has been trading for six-and-a-half years from Well Street, Little Germany, provides IT training. It has seen turnover grow year-on-year and is now approaching £1 million per annum.

The company's rapid growth - reflected in its inclusion in the Inner City 100 - is expected to see it open a second centre next year. Its major account holders include Bradford and Leeds hospital trusts, the Carphone Warehouse and Provident Financial.

Sarah Foster, director of the enterprising communities programme at NEF, praised the achievements of the firms.

"Competing with the best, the Inner City 100 are well-managed, innovative companies that compare favourably not only with their inner city peers but the best companies in the country," she said.

Sir Graham Hall, chairman of Yorkshire Forward, praised the 13 firms from across the county which were nominated. Bradford, with four nominations, was the joint best performer along with Sheffield.

"This is a tremendous result for the winning firms and the region as a whole," he said. "It is an illustration of the entrepreneurial spirit and aspiration that will deliver growth and prosperity in the most deprived parts of our region."