THE Salters Den competition returns for 2018 and applications are now open.

Salters Den sees local businesses Howard Worth Chartered Accountants join forces with Moss Haselhurst Solicitors, NatWest and Cheshire West and Chester Council to form the judging panel in the den.

The judges are seeking an entrepreneur or business start-up located in Winsford or Northwich that have been trading no earler than January 1 of this year.

Winners can expect a cash prize of £2,500 to invest in the business as well as a year of free accountancy support and business advice from Howard Worth and legal mentoring from Moss Haselhurst.

Amanda Lund, from Tots Tower, was the recipient of this prize in 2017.

She said: “Winning Salters Den has been such an amazing boost for us and has allowed us to enhance the play centre in ways we didn't think possible. Our advice to any new business owner is to go ahead and apply for the competition, we did and we have not looked back since.”

There are also rewards for second and third place with six months and three months support and mentoring respectively.

The competition has been accepting entries from July 1 and will be until October 26.

Go to the website saltersdencompetition.co.uk for the full competition rules and details of how to submit your application.