TIMBERWeb.COM, the leading global eMarket for timber and forest products, today (Weds, May 24) won first prize in the East of England E-Commerce Awards.

Judges voted for the eMarket because of its “exemplary use of e-commerce” and TIMBERWeb.COM now goes forward to appear in a grand national final, taking place in London later this year.

Mr Keith Richmond, Chairman and CEO, said: “We are delighted to receive the award. We firmly believe we have established an excellent eMarket which is set to dominate the e-commercialisation of the timber industry.

“In the very near future, our online timber trading service will be developed further, as will our national and international news coverage, offering our members a totally comprehensive web package for the industry.”

The contest, organised by the UK's Department of Trade and Industry, was co-ordinated in the East of England by the East of England Development Agency and today’s ceremony took place at Vauxhall Motors, Luton.

Judges included members of the DTI. The ú5,000 first prize was awarded at lunch with sponsors including ISI, InterForum, National Westminster Bank and The Express newspaper group. A prize of ú30,000 will be awarded to the overall national winner.

TIMBERWeb.COM won the 1998 FT Business Website ‘Site to Watch’ Award and was ‘Highly Commended’ in the 1999 New Media Age ‘Business Publishing’ Awards.

TIMBERWeb.COM is headquartered at Kesgrave Hall, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Find us at www.timberweb.com. For information about the awards, go to http://www.ecommerce-awards.co.uk

Contact: Paul Harris, Director News and Content (+44) 1473 632636

Keith Richmond, Chairman and CEO (+44) 1473 632600