THE Grimsby Telegraph today announces the nine local businesses – including a handyman, locksmith and cabinet maker – that have made the shortlist in the Local Business Accelerators competition.

The nationwide campaign, which was launched last month by regional and local newspapers across the country and backed by Prime Minister David Cameron and Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden, will see 1,500 firms receive £15-million of free advertising to help boost their businesses in 2012.

Judges – which included Richard Rowell, incoming chair of the North East Lincolnshire area council for the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce; Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor and business editor David Laister and Business Enterprise and Education Partnership co-founder and ConocoPhillips communications officer Nina Stobart – reported that entries were of an extremely high standard, with enthusiastic local firms recognising the benefits that newspaper advertising and mentoring can bring.

The Grimsby-area businesses to have made the shortlist are:

Allen Willey Handmade Furniture, Neptune Street, Cleethorpes; cabinet making.

Avalore Studios, St Peter's Avenue, Cleethorpes; IT and telecommunications services.

Carpet Chris Ltd, Pelham Road, Immingham; carpet retailing.

Crystal Chair Covers, Station Approach, Grimsby; supplier to weddings and other functions.

G Seasonings, Grimsby; food sector.

Green Envi, Enterprise Village, Prince Albert Gardens, Grimsby; renewable energy and environmental consultancy.

Richard Ellis Ltd, Enterprise Village, Prince Albert Gardens, Grimsby; architectural ironmongers and locksmiths.

Tacticsboard.com, Haigh Court, Grimsby; IT and telecommunications services.

The-Handyman.co.uk. Enterprise Village, Prince Albert Gardens, Grimsby; property maintenance.

The firms' applications will now be further scrutinised, before three winners are selected by the judging panel and announced next month.

As well as receiving top professional advice from local business mentors, their prize also includes a substantial allocation of free advertising space in the pages of the Grimsby Telegraph.

This process will help determine an overall winner for the area, who will be put forward by the newspaper to stand a chance of winning the support of Deborah Meaden, without having to part with any equity!

Mr Rowell, the lead judge and partner at Forrester Boyd Chartered Accountants, said: "Businesses have clearly seen the potential that this prize offers them, both to better their own operations and increase the awareness of the company in the community through the Grimsby Telegraph – a local newspaper that is keen to champion local firms.

"We have seen real potential and look forward to reporting our findings in the new year."