A young entrepreneur who founded a green wood-burning business has reached the next stage of a journey that could lead to a date with Dragon Deborah Meaden.

Earlier this year, Bertie’s Wood Fuel, based in Hadlow, was unveiled as one of three Kent winners – from eight finalists and 40 entries – in the second Local Business Accelerators scheme.

It is organised by the Newspaper Society and backed by Prime Minister David Cameron and media groups nationwide, including the multi-media KM Group. It aims to promote business growth through advertising and marketing through local newspapers and their associated online services.

Kent’s three winners – the other two were Armed and Glamorous/Milk Chic of Maidstone, and FooARage of Larkfield – each won free advertising and marketing from the KM Group worth thousands of pounds. Deborah Meaden is the scheme’s ambassador and will judge the regional winners that include Bertie’s Wood Fuel.

Kent’s overall winner is no stranger to awards, having won the Start up Business of the Year in the 2012 Kent Excellence in Business Award (KEiBA). The business was founded by Peter Tweddell and supplies kiln dried and seasoned logs, kindling and wood briquettes, for open fires, stoves and log burners.

Mr Tweddell said: “I’m delighted to hear Bertie’s has been chosen to represent Kent in the regional final of the Local Business Accelerators scheme. It’s a pleasure to know the hard work put into the business by my team and I is getting recognised. I look forward to the upcomingmarketing campaign the KM Group has put together for us. It should prove to be a great success for Bertie’s.”

Apart from free advertising, the Kent trio also won free mentoring by experts at Reeves, the accounting and business advisory firm in Canterbury and Chatham Maritime.

Business services partner Tim Levey said: “Bertie’s Wood Fuel ticked all of the boxes for me. They have a clear space in their market with room to develop, are working to a solid plan and have built a loyal customer base. The inevitable issues that slow growth, particularly around cash flow, are being addressed and should ensure that the business model is scaleable.”

Last year, Kent’s overall winner Ebox Media, an online house-sign design business based in Cranbrook, won the regional final and narrowly missed out on the top prize.