DORSET businesses are being encouraged to put themselves forward for a boost.

The Dorset Echo is taking part in Local Business Accelerators for the second year and the search for a new round of applicants is on.

The Newspaper Society is running the campaign, with more than 500 newspapers taking part.

It is being backed by a host of business figures, as well as Prime Minister David Cameron.

Businesses aged between one and five years old can enter LBA for the chance to win a free ad campaign in their local paper plus mentoring support from local business leaders.

The most promising businesses will go forward to the national stage of the competition to win a year’s mentoring from Deborah Meaden and a local advertising campaign devised by a top London creative ad agency.

Last year the Echo’s entrants were narrowed down to Smiley Booth, Dave Mott Physio Fitness and Easy Logistics.

Smiley Booth was chosen as the winners to go through to the national stage of the competition, which was eventually won by Ilkley Brewery in Yorkshire.

Businesses can enter via the LBA hub at accelerateme.co.uk before November 16.