Entries are flooding in for a newspaper-backed scheme which aims to promote small firms.

The Local Business Accelerators scheme offers a financial and advice leg-up to growing businesses.

Already around 1,000 entries have flooded in to the nationwide scheme.

It comes after The Prime Minister hailed the campaign "excellent".

David Cameron praised the Local Business Accelerators scheme launched earlier this month by Britain's regional and local newspapers, including the KM Group.

The Prime Minister said: "In towns and cities across the country, local and regional newspapers are helping to build stronger local communities and contributing to growth by supporting local businesses. They have a major role to play in championing growth."

The scheme, developed by the Newspaper Society, is seeking out the most promising young businesses to help accelerate their growth. It offers up to three months of free advertising, plus advice from experts at Reeves, the accounting firm with offices in Canterbury and Chatham.

One lucky business picked from hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from Deborah Meaden of Dragons Den.

Mr Cameron added: "The Local Business Accelerators campaign will help provide the boost that our smaller British businesses need right now. By joining forces to launch this excellent initiative, local newspapers are demonstrating their commitment and providing exactly the sort of practical, hands-on support that will help young local businesses succeed and grow. Those that will benefit from the initiative are the very businesses and entrepreneurs that will help to lead Britain's recovery."

Geraldine Allinson, president of the Newspaper Society and chairman of the KM Group, 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."

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."

More information in all KM Group titles this week and at www.accelerateme.co.uk.

Entries close November 14.