You offer great products or services. You pride yourself on customer service.

But how do you stand out from the crowd? How do you make your voice heard?

The challenge of making your name in the marketplace is all the more acute when you are starting out.

So today the Eastern Daily Press and newspapers around the country have joined forces with arch entrepreneur and TV dragon Deborah Meaden to launch the Local Business Accelerators competition - and offer �15m worth of free advertising to the nation's most dynamic fledgling enterprises.

Nearly 500 regional newspapers across the country are taking part, including the EDP, Evening News, Great Yarmouth Mercury and Lowestoft Journal.

Together, we will search for the nation's most promising young businesses and help them 'accelerate' their success with professional advice from business mentors plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in the EDP or its sister titles.

One business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from the Ms Meaden, who will become a consultant and mentor to the business for one year.

Ms Meaden said: 'I've seen the unique contribution that local press makes to the success of local businesses time and again with my own ventures. 'In this age of enterprise it has never been more important to drive awareness about the value of local marketing for a fledgling business, which is why I'm so proud to support Local Business Accelerators and help build thriving and industrious communities.'

The competition is open to all businesses that are active in the local community, between one and three years old and full of potential.

They may have a great idea or product, or even found a new market.

They are the kind of businesses that will create new jobs and create pride in the community.

The EDP's winner will be selected by editor Peter Waters, Kevin Horne, chief executive of enterprise agency NWES, and his fellow judges of the EDP's Future50 entrepreneurs project.

'The Local Business Accelerators competition is just the latest example of the EDP's commitment to the East Anglian business community,' Mr Waters said.

'While we report on what's happening without fear or favour, we also want businesses in this part of the world to do well - and we want to shout about their success.

'This competition dovetails with our existing Future50 project, which has sought to celebrate the region's enterprising spirit for the last three years by highlighting innovative companies which are pioneers in their markets.

'By taking part in Local Business Accelerators, we want to give start-up businesses a real head-start.'

The judging panel will review and shortlist entries before awarding the prize of free advertising and business advice.

They will also be looking out for that one overall star business to put forward to be in with a chance to gain Ms Meaden as a mentor during 2012.

Geraldine Allinson, president of the Newspaper Society, which has organised the competition, said: 'The UK needs to grow local businesses like never before, and local businesses need local press.

'No other medium has the power, local knowledge and influence to activate a scheme like Local Business Accelerators.

'It's where local newspapers have always made a real difference: by helping to build strong local businesses and encourage thriving communities.'

If you run such a business, or know anyone who does, and want the chance to receive invaluable business support and advertising space in the Eastern Daily Press, visit www.accelerateme.co.uk for more information on the scheme and how to enter.

Entries close 14th November 2011.