Victoria and Nigel Clarke, who started Clarke & Tholomew Ltd in November 2006, are now hoping to scoop the top title and a cheque for £50,000, courtesy of HSBC.

After 30 years selling advertising space and 23 years selling airtime at radio stations all over the country, Victoria Clarke spotted a gap in a very crowded market that could help her realise a lifelong dream of starting her own business.

Her concept was to promote the combination of audio and visual media for billboards and radio in a single package under the brand of Sight and Sound Advertising, which is now trademarked by Clarke & Tholomew.

Aligning herself with the best media and creative professionals, she is able to negotiate highly competitive rates and deliver innovative, eye and ear-catching campaigns.

The Peterborough company, which started from Victoria's conservatory with nothing more than a laptop, telephone and fax machine, also offers events management, specialising in sports celebrity dinners and recruitment shows, promoting them through their own campaigns.

Currently operating with three full-time staff and three freelancers, Clarke & Tholomew is already looking to expand.

Victoria is confident that it won't be long before she reaches the magic £1 million turnover mark, which will then pave the way for future growth, including offices in other major cities around the UK.

Clarke & Tholomew is one of 20 companies to secure a place in the Southern Regional Finals.

Its entry will now be considered by a local panel of business experts who will select the top 10 start-up companies in the south to go forward to the national judging.

The national contest, now in its eighth year, is designed to seek out the most promising start-up businesses in the UK.

This year there will be six heats, generating 60 regional winners from throughout the UK. From this pool of talented entrepreneurs, the top 10 will be invited to London to convince the national judging panel why they should be named Start-Up Star 2008.