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Thousands of firms apply for local press free ads deal

A total of 3,000 local firms have applied for free local press advertising and business mentoring in a government-backed bid to boost jobs.

Local newspapers across the UK are offering help for small firms on their patch as part of the £15m Local Business Accelerators initiative.

Hundreds of titles have published stories over the past month urging companies to get their applications in for the scheme ahead of this week’s deadline.

Now, LBA judging panels will sift through the entries and come up with a shortlist of businesses in the running for free advertising and mentoring from local business leaders.

Successful businesses will also be in with a chance of winning a year’s mentoring from the campaign’s national ambassador Deborah Meaden, of Dragons’ Den.

Many local titles will be hosting their own ‘Dragon’s Den’-style pitching sessions in the next few weeks at which shortlisted businesses will present to the judging panel.

The scheme has been backed by a host of high profile figures in politics and business including Prime Minister David Cameron, CBI director John Cridland and Michelle Mone OBE as well as scores of local business leaders.