Ten Havering start-ups are in the running to win free mentoring from Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden.

The Local Business Accelerators competition, launched in October by regional and

local newspapers across the country, will see 1,500 firms receive �15million

of free advertising to boost business.

Across Archant London, which publishes the Recorder, 57 entries were received from firms set up between one and five years ago.

Of these, three winners will be selected to receive a package of free advertising with the Recorder and mentoring from Gerry Byrne, owner of five successful Havering McDonald’s franchises.

Then Gerry will pick one to go through to the national final and get the chance to work alongside Ms Meaden.

The campaign, run by the Newspaper Society, has received the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron and other government and business chiefs.

The 10 Havering applicants are listed in the box to the right.

Romford Recorder editor Mark Sweetingham said: “The entries have been of an extremely high standard.

“The Local Business Accelerators competition shows how important it is for entrepreneurs to work closely with their local newspaper.”

The winners’ package includes three months of free advertising in the Romford Recorder, support and advice from Gerry Byrne and the chance to progress to the national final.

In addition, one national winner will get mentoring and advice from Ms Meaden, �10,000 from the Business Growth Fund, support from a top creative advertising agency, free membership of the Confederation of British Industry for a year, free business advice from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and an iPad plus accounting software from Freeagent.