A THIRD successive year of growth has seen Harrogate-based Appeal PR increase turnover by more than 30 per cent following a year of high-profile account wins.

That is why the team, led by Paul Snape, is now entering both the Growth and Small Business Of The Year categories in The Press Business Awards 2007.

Paul, who founded the business in 2000, built the team, consisting of six media relations experts.

They deliver regional, trade and PR campaigns specialising in handling deals and commercially-sensitive announcements.

Media relations clients include Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, DLA Piper, McInnes Corporate Finance and Leeds City Council.

The past year has seen turnover grow past the £400,000 mark for the first time, and the company is aiming to recruit new talent to increase capacity.

Paul said: "We have seen a sustained period of steady growth, and have enjoyed a great deal of success in competitive pitches this year, winning retainer contracts for Deloitte and Berwins LLP, Leeds-based medical firm Xiros as well as a handful of projects in the business-to-business and consumer sectors."

Much of Appeal PR's portfolio has grown on the back of close relationships with key decision makers at respected banks, accountants, corporate financiers, law firms and venture capitalists throughout the UK.

It has represented Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets in the north-east for seven years and has managed the profile for law firm DLA Piper for five years.

It offers a 24-hour service, with office calls diverted to mobile phones and with secure remote access to all its company client files so that they can instantly react to the need to put out urgent financial news stories.

Paul said: "We have a very strong team with three former journalists as well as business graduates and finance specialists, and we will be investing further by recruiting additional experienced media specialists over the summer," he said.

More recruitment is expected and by the end of the year there should be eight full-time staff.