The Argus has launched a scheme to boost Sussex businesses.

Fledgling businesses can win free advertising in a bold initiative backed by Dragons’ Den judge Deborah Meaden.

Local Business Accelerators (LBA) and is being spearheaded by the Argus in partnership with the Newspaper Society.

Now the search is on for the county’s most promising young businesses. We will help them accelerate their success with top professional advice from local business mentors plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in their local publication.

What’s more, one lucky business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from the LBA national ambassador Ms Meaden, who will become a consultant and mentor to the business for one year.

Nationally, a landmark of 1,000 entries to Local Business Accelerators has been reached.

Businesses can apply for a place on the scheme on the www.accelerateme.co.uk website until 14 November 14. The Argus will then select their shortlist from the entries.