A YOUNG fashion entrepreneur, whose clients include Premier League footballers and pop stars, has won The Northern Echo's Local Business Accelerators (LBA) competition, which has been backed by The Prime Minister.

Aj Swinbank, 22, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire scooped a prize package that includes top professional advice from a local business mentor, an allocation of free advertising space in The Northern Echo and a six-month rent-free tenancy in one of Middlesbrough Council's Enterprise Centre buildings.

Envirolink Recycling Ltd of Darlington and Platinum Physiotherapy and Personal Training of Coxhoe, County Durham were also successful in winning mentorship from leading local businessmen Neil Stephenson, chief executive of Stockton-based technology firm Onyx and Terry Skee, commercial director of Durham City solar energy firm Cleaner Air Solutions.

The Prime Minister extended his congratulations to Mr Swinbank and the other successful businesses, and highlighted the role of the local newspaper industry in supporting British business.

"It's brilliant that so many promising young companies, from such a wide range of sectors, are benefitting from this excellent initiative," said David Cameron.

"Entrepreneurship, creativity and ambition are essential for our economic recovery and through Local Business Accelerators, newspapers such as The Northern Echo are supporting some great new British businesses to grow, and helping to boost their local economy.

"I wish the newspapers, businesses and their mentors every success over the coming months."

After shelving his dreams of becoming a professional golfer Mr Swinbank set up the Where Eagles Dare fashion brand at the age of 20 thanks to a £2,000 award from the Prince's Trust and money saved from his job as a nightclub promoter. Last night, he said he was "overwhelmed" to have won the competition and hoped that his example would inspire other budding entrepreneurs to take the plunge.

"The reason I started this at such a young age was that I had no real responsibilities, so I could take risks and devote my life to getting the business off the ground," he explained. "I would urge any young people to go for it. I firmly believe that if you are prepared to work hard you can do anything."

England and Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck and horse racing legend Frankie Dettori are among the fashion conscious celebrities who have been sporting Where Eagles Dare polo shirts and knitwear in recent months. Mr Swinbank also hopes that chart topping band One Direction will be seen wearing the range on their forthcoming tour.

"I am so grateful for the support and exposure that The Northern Echo has given me so far, it has been a massive help," added Mr Swinbank, who is set to exhibit his latest collection at fashion shows in Germany and the US. He has also linked up with Raha Jamalian-Hershey, a San Francisco-based brand guru who has a track record of leading brands, such as Fedaboa & LVMH, to global success.

"I think with her experience and vision, teamed with my hunger and determination we will make a great team going forward and hope to open distribution channels across Europe and the United States in the near future," said Mr Swinbank. "It's extremely exciting that she shares my vision and I can't wait for the coming year."

Later in the year, Where Eagles Dare will compete with other regional winners for the title of the overall LBA champion and the chance to receive mentoring from the campaigns national ambassador Deborah Meaden, of Dragons Den fame and have an advertising campaign devised by a top London agency.

Backed by high profile figures including the CBI's John Cridland, the campaign has seen the local newspaper industry come together to deliver a shot in the arm for British business.

LBA has captured the imagination of business owners across the UK with a total of 3,097 entrants putting themselves forward. The Northern Echo was inundated with entries.

Euphoria Boutique of Stockton; Mintronics of Darlington; NEDay Crafts based in Darlington; Dotty Hippo of Northallerton; Help Training Courses of Shildon and Sweet Greetings of Shildon were the other shortlisted finalists who attended the selection panel.