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.

Here she talks about the initiative and why it could help your business.

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.