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Signs Express Gateshead owner Malcolm Lant has been named as a semi-finalist for the North in the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards for the second consecutive year. He will find out if he is a finalist this week, before a gala dinner in October where the winners will be announced.

"This will be the second year in a row that I have been nominated, I am absolutely delighted to be through to the next stage in the award," says Lant, who took on the franchise in 2005. "Fingers crossed I will be named as a finalist."

Signs Express managing director Craig Brown adds: “We are delighted Malcolm has been shortlisted again for the second consecutive year for such a prestigious award. He is a real credit to the network and his dedication to providing excellent quality products and supreme customer service represents the Signs Express ethos extremely well."