The Skainos Centre built by the East Belfast Mission

THREE Northern Ireland organisations have been shortlisted in the third annual, UK-wide, Private Business Awards.

Cookstown’s CDE, Craigavon’s Ulster Carpet Mills and the East Belfast Mission are all through to the final judging.

They faced competition from more than 700 entries from across the UK.

The awards are intended to recognise the best in the private sector and highlight its economic importance.

Northern Ireland’s Bryson Charitable Group was named as the UK’s Social Enterprise of the Year at the 2012 Private Business Awards.

Ulster Carpet Mills employs 500 people and manufactures carpeting for export to hotels, casinos and cruise liners around the world.

The East Belfast Mission is a registered charity concentrating on community development and support in inner east Belfast.

CDE, with its headquarters in Cookstown, exports specialist quarry and mining machinery to 50 countries around the world.

The winners will be announced at a dinner to be held at The Guildhall, London on 11 September.