From today, disabled entrepreneurs from across the UK can enter to win a £50,000 first prize as part of the search to find the winner of The Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2009.

This major annual award, run by Leonard Cheshire Disability and sponsored by easyGroup Chairman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, rewards those with disabilities who have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit in the face of significant barriers. Applicants must have a registered UK business with a turnover of at least £10,000 per annum, and will be judged on their business ability.

Stelios will present the 2009 winner with the award and a £50,000 personal cheque at the Real Business/ CBI Growing Business Awards, to be held in London on 26th November 2009.

The award, which was launched in 2007, was won last year by Andrew Thomson from Grangemouth in Scotland who runs Sign-now.com, a web-based video conferencing translation service which enables deaf people to communicate with the hearing public.

Stelios said: "I am very passionate about encouraging and recognising entrepreneurial spirit, and set up this award with Leonard Cheshire Disability with the aim of seeking out and celebrating business ability.

To find out how to enter visit www.disabledentrepreneur.org. The closing date for entries is 4th September 2009.