Time is running out for retailers to enter their staff into the 35th Sales Assistant of the Year Awards.

Closing on 22 of August, the awards celebrate employees who make a positive difference to your business, be it through innovative ideas, community initiatives, sterling customer service or simply by taking the weight off you.

The awards are supported by JTI, Mars Chocolate, Coca-Cola Enterprises, P&G and the Post Office, and winners will be crowned at a memorable lunch in a top London hotel on 11 November.

The overall winner will claim a £1,000 prize. All category winners also receive a £500 prize and £250 for the Community Hero.

Shop floor staff, checkout operators and supervisors are all eligible and can be entered into one of the five following categories.

•INDEPENDENT SECTOR SALES ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR - fewer than nine stores, whether affiliated to a symbol group or operating under its own brand.

•MULTIPLE SYMBOL SECTOR SALES ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR - part of a chain of 10 stores or more under the same ownership, trading under a recognised symbol brand.

•CO-OPERATIVE AND MULTIPLE SECTOR SALES ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR - 10 or more stores under the same ownership, trading under a co-operative or retail brand.

•FORECOURT SECTOR SALES ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR - any store on a garage forecourt, whether under co-operative, multiple, symbol or independent brand.

•SPECIALIST SECTOR SALES ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR - any store that boasts a specialist focus such as a post office, off-licence, farm shop or a CTN.

For more info and to enter visit www.salesassistantawards.co.uk by 22 August.