Local Business Accelerators, the local media industry’s campaign to boost the best local businesses fronted by Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden, has launched.

Organised by Local Media Works, the marketing body for the local press industry, the campaign will see local newspapers up and down Britain join the hunt to find the best local businesses.

The winner will scoop the LBA national prize of business mentoring from LBA campaign ambassador Deborah and free local newspaper advertising to take their business to the next level.

Deborah said: “Since its inception, LBA has consistently demonstrated that local media advertising can accelerate local businesses, energising and invigorating local economies.

That is because people trust local news brands more than any other media, and are much more likely to engage with, and act upon, the advertising within them.

“I am delighted to be fronting LBA once again and would encourage all businesses out there to contact their local newspaper to find out how they can get involved.”

Launching for the first time in 2011 with backing from 500 local papers, LBA has already seen hundreds of businesses accelerated by a combination of free local newspaper advertising and mentoring from business leaders.

LBA 2013 national winner Sophie Jewett, owner of York Cocoa House, said: “My experience of winning LBA has been tremendous, it's helped me to take my business to another level.

The advice and personal mentoring support I was able to get from Deborah was invaluable.

“We worked with our local newspaper, The York Press as part of the prize, it's helped us to develop the brand and to be able to tell our story to a local audience, since that time we've seen a continued marked increase in sales.

“We have really benefited through strong relationships with our local newspapers and by engaging with their digital platforms it's given us a great and effective communication with new and existing customers.”

Interested businesses can contact their local newspaper to find out more. Entries for LBA close on the Friday January 29 2016.