Scanner technicians helping thousands of cancer patients a year are finalists in a competition to find “the best social enterprise business in Britain”.

A nationwide search for the best small firms in the UK has been organised by Small Business Britain, which champions more than five million businesses.

The Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, an independent medical charity that has been providing imaging scans at Mount Vernon in Northwood since 1985, is among eight finalists for this year’s ‘Mission Possible’ social enterprise Small Businesses awards.

“These business owners are at the heart of the economy and their communities,” Small Business Britain founder Michelle Ovens explained.

“The awards recognise the resilience of small firms in such turbulent times. The scanner centre deserves being shortlisted.”

Top enterprises in eight categories plus the overall winner are being announced in London on May 16 by a panel of leading business entrepreneurs.