AS we announce the winners of our Local Business Accelerators competition, Prime Minister David Cameron has applauded the role of the local newspaper industry in supporting British business.

The Prime Minister today extended his congratulations to the winning businesses who will receive a substantial allocation of free advertising in the Gazette and guidance from our trio of leading business mentors: Chris Petty - founder of Stockton-based Cornerstone Business Solutions, Dean of Teesside University business school Alastair Thomson and Mike Matthews, the managing director of Stockton manufacturer Nifco UK.

Mr Cameron said: “It’s brilliant that so many promising young companies, from such a wide range of sectors, are benefiting from this excellent initiative.

“Entrepreneurship, creativity and ambition are essential for our economic recovery and through Local Business Accelerators, newspapers such as the Gazette are supporting some great new British businesses to grow, and helping to boost their local economy.

“I wish the newspapers, businesses and their mentors every success.”

Later in the year, one business will go on to be crowned the overall Local Business Accelerators winner and receive mentoring from the campaign’s national ambassador Deborah Meaden, of Dragon’s Den.

Backed by high profile figures including the CBI’s John Cridland, the campaign has seen the local newspaper industry come together to deliver a shot in the arm for British business.

Local Business Accelerators has also received the support of Stephen Welton, Business Growth Fund chief executive, who said the initiative was a “powerful boost”.

He said: “When growth is harder to achieve, history tells us that the most successful companies are not those with defensive strategies.”

The Business Growth Fund has contributed to Local Business Accelerators by offering a series of free half-day workshop sessions at its regional centres to winning businesses.