Football and cricket have made it to the final line-up in a record-busting business contest.

Kent Football Association and Kent County Cricket Club are both finalists in the fourth annual Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA).

Kent FA has been shortlisted for the Business Commitment to the Community Award, while the Canterbury-based cricket club is one of three organisations hoping to land the coveted glass trophy for Best Leisure and Tourism Business.

One of the more intriguing finalists is MidKent College, which is up for the Large Business award. Some 40 finalists - a record - have made it to the final from a record entry of 250.

Holiday Extras is a finalist for the fourth year in a row in the Employer of the Year category. It won it in 2009 and hopes to make it a double in 2012.

A new category - Success in International Markets, which recognises companies beating the domestic downturn by developing fresh markets abroad - attracted a strong entry.

The awards are staged and produced by Kent County Council and the KM Group.

Mark Dance, KCC cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: "We had a tremendous response to this year’s awards and I am delighted by the wide range of businesses that have made it to the finals. It is notable that the quality of entrants is once again superb. The finalists can all be extremely proud of themselves. I wish everybody the very best of luck."

Geraldine Allinson, KM Group chairman, said: "I would like to congratulate all of this year’s finalists. The outstanding quality of this year’s entrants is very high and I know that the judges had a tough time whittling the entries down to these impressive companies and individuals."

The winners will be announced at a glittering gala dinner in Priestfield Banqueting Suite, Gillingham, on June 28. A full list of finalists is at www.keiba.co.uk.

Kent Excellence in Business Awards 2012 finalists:

Employer (sponsor asb law): Component Force, Holiday Extras, Reeves.

Large Business (Belmont International): Mainstream Group, Mid Kent College, T W Services.

SME (Santander): Classic Filters, Deeson Group, Kit for Kids, Three Rs Teacher Recruitment.

Start-up (Lloyds TSB Commercial): AMPI t/a Bluebird Care. Bertie Wood Fuel, Offset Architects.

Leisure and Tourism (VisitKent, Southeastern): The Aspinall Foundation, Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, Kent County Cricket Club.

Science and/or Technology (Vertex Law, University of Kent): Aquaread, EMS Security Group, Pitney Bowes.

Business Commitment to the Community (Kent Reliance): Broadstairs Food Festival, Component Force, Kent FA.

Business Commitment to the Environment (Southern Water, KCC/European Regional Development Fund): Ardo UK, Bluewater, Winterdale Cheesemakers.

Success in International Markets (HSBC, Kent International Business): Armourcoat, P&B Metal Components, Rail Simulator.

Customer Service and Commitment (Headley Brothers): Amicus Horizon, Kit for Kids, Watchfinder.

Entrepreneur (IoD, Heart): Jan Post (RIFT), Alan Proto (GML), Jan van der Velde (Kit for Kids).

Young Entrepreneur (Kent Foundation, EMC): Craig Harrison (Aquaread); Dishal Patel (D K Vision), A J Sharp (Sharp Relations).

Apprenticeship (Kent Apprenticeships): Amie Madgett (Hospice in the Weald), Deyna Norman (A R Engineering), Emily Williams (Oakwood House).