THE North East Chamber of Commerce has reinforced its backing for the Local Business Accelerators scheme.

The initiative was launched last month by the Evening Gazette and other regional newspapers across the country to offer dynamic fledgling enterprises £15m of free advertising.

Together, the local press industry will search for the nation’s most promising young businesses and help them accelerate their success with top professional advice from local business mentors, plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in their local publication.

It has also won the backing of Dragons’ Den judge Deborah Meaden and several industry groups including the Confederation of British Industry.

Now the NECC has urged more companies to file their entries before the deadline at 5pm today.

Andrew Sugden, NECC director of membership and policy, said: “We have long been a supporter of the region’s local newspapers, seeing genuine value for North-east businesses in a diverse and engaged local media.

“An initiative supported by all the North-east’s local newspapers gives a chance for new, and newish, businesses to access this network with three months of free local advertising.”

As well as a cash prize, one lucky business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will receive individual mentoring sessions from the LBA national ambassador Deborah Meaden, who will become a consultant and mentor to the business for one year.

If you run such a business, or know anyone who does, visit www.accelerateme.co.uk  for more information on the scheme and how to enter.

See tomorrow’s Gazette for details of more entrants.