BUSINESS-boosting plans are taking shape for the three winners of the Essex Chronicle's Local Business Accelerators award and all are looking forward to reaping the rewards.

As part of a national campaign backed by the Government and Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden, 1,500 firms across the country get a total of £15million of free advertising in the local press to help them showcase their businesses in 2012.

The Essex Chronicle and its sister paper the Brentwood Gazette picked three local entrepreneurs after they impressed our panel of business experts in a Dragon's Den style competition in December.

The three firms won three months' free advertising as well as free mentoring after being paired with one of the experienced judges.

Vikki Stavrinos of V Dance Studios and Bam Bam Boogies in Chelmsford was paired with Rachel White, group finance director for Ixion Holdings.

She said: "I have had two meetings with Rachel already and they have been brilliant. I'm so glad that someone genuinely wants to help.

"I've now got some great plans for the next few years to put into action.

"I run a performance studio and aim to help people wanting to build a career. There are lots of places offering this in London but not here in Chelmsford."

Kerry Cable, of Party Bag World in Maylandsea, was paired with Dave Dennison, MD of Directa UK, who brought his business to Cold Norton after finding success in London.

Kerry said: "The meetings we have had with our mentor, Dave, have been really motivating, especially hearing him talk about how he started off with his own company."

He said: "The only way is Essex and we have incredibly loyal staff here. I decided to set up my own business when I realised there was a gap in the market and we are in our 41st year.

"It's a great pleasure to help Kerry with Party Bags and both her and Jason Craddock are more than capable, they are doing really well."

The three Essex Chronicle winners will be entered for the national competition which could see them bag a period of mentoring with Deborah Meaden of Dragons' Den.

The final winner Deborah Norton owns Danbury firm The Ink Team, which supplies ink to the educational sector, is hoping that the next three months will provide her with the backing to increase awareness of her product.

"We deliver original and compatible inks to individuals and businesses and have a unique vending machine, which is situated at Hull and Huddersfield universities," she said.

"It would be great if people used local businesses and we offer help and advice online and on the phone."

Her mentor Ray Raynor, of Raynor Foods in Chelmsford – sandwich supplier to the Queen – said: "It's a good business idea and unique. I started my business 24 years ago and have helped mentor businesses before, making me only too happy to help this time."