Heart of Hawick was selected as Scotland's most enterprising place in the Scottish heat of the competition.

The UK winner will be announced in an awards ceremony to be held in September. It will then go forward to represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards later this year.

A culture-led regeneration project, Heart of Hawick aims to increase footfall and vibrancy by engaging with the community; harnessing the entrepreneurial flair and drive of the private sector; developing the ancestral tourism market; removing town centre dereliction; and providing a range of services to encourage ambition and aspiration for young people.

Future plans include further town centre development works; the refurbishment of Drumlanrig's Tower Visitor Centre; and the installation of a statue funded principally by the Turnbull Clan Association to act as a draw to the 800,000 Turnbulls worldwide.

Claire, who currently heads up Blackburn House, one of Merseyside's original and most successful social enterprises, said: "We have seen outstanding bids from across the UK – places that have turned around the prospects of local people, communities and economies through enterprise.

"It is fantastic to see at first hand the places which make Britain such a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity," she added.

The competition is run annually by Make Your Mark campaign on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in partnership with the Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations, to celebrate enterprise activities and reward entrepreneurial success.

Councillor Graham Garvie, Scottish Borders Council's Executive Member for Culture, Sport and Community Learning, said: "Heart of Hawick demonstrates how regeneration can have a direct, tangible economic impact for the Scottish Borders, and Scotland, as a whole.

"Winning the Scottish heat of Enterprising Britain 2008 is an outstanding endorsement of the achievements to date and a welcome boost to the town and to civic pride," added the councillor.