One of the few good things about the recession is that companies are having to work harder to get your business.

To get feet through doors, restaurants, shops and even banks are now offering consumers a host of incentives and freebies.

Just remember - don't be tempted to spend more than you normally would just so you can snap up that cool added extra - that would be a totally false economy!

Here's my pick of the top freebies currently around.

1. Free money

Yup - you read that right! Alliance & Leicester is giving all new customers £100 if they switch to its Premier Current Account.

In my opinion this is a very decent bank account, because it also offers you free annual multi-trip European travel insurance, and a 0% overdraft for the first 12 months.

However, if you want to grab your free £100, you'll have to be quick - the offer ends on Thursday April 2nd at 3pm.

2. Free entry to theme parks

Shop instore at WHSmith any time until Sunday March 29th and you'll be given four 2-for-1 theme park entry vouchers. These can be used throughout the summer (until October 31st) and there's no minimum spend needed.

Take one of these vouchers along to your chosen theme park and - when you buy a full price adult ticket - another adult or a child will get in free.

Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland Windsor, Madame Tussauds, The Dungeons, Warwick Castle, Sea Life Centres and Sea Life Sanctuaries are all included in the deal.

As usual, make sure you scrutinise all the terms and conditions on the voucher itself and on the Merlin website. The offer isn't valid on certain days throughout the summer - and these days differ depending on the theme park.

3. Free main courses

There are loads of UK restaurant chains still offering 2-for-1 deals on main courses. Have a look at my recent restaurant freebies post for details of offers at ASK, Pizza Express, Strada, Caffe Uno and Zizzi.

In additional, posh burger chain GBK is a now also running a 2-for-1 deal on its burgers, with the most expensive one being free! Register as part of the GBK 'gang' and you'll be emailed a voucher.

And you can also get a 2-for-1 deal on main courses at Ha! Ha! eateries - grab your voucher here.

4. Free anti-virus software

Is your computer's anti-virus security package about to expire? Before you pay an arm and a leg to renew it, see if you can get it for free.

Do you bank with HSBC or Barclays? If so, you're in luck - because both lenders are currently offering free 12 month security packages to their online banking customers.

With HSBC, log in to your account and look for the 'free McAfee Security download' link near the bottom of the screen.

And if you bank with Barclays, log in and find the Kaspersky offer.

5. Free cinema ticket

This offer has been running for ages - but it's still one of the best freebies around: If you're an Orange customer, you can get two tickets for the price of one on Wednesdays, at most UK cinemas.

If you're not on the Orange network, you can still take advantage of the deal. Just sign up for a free pay-as-you-go SIM card and stick it in your mobile. By topping up with a minimum of £5 credit, you can grab those Orange Wednesdays tickets too.

And the moment, the 2-for-1 ticket deal comes with extra benefits: If you fancy a cheap meal before your movie, print out this voucher and take it to a Pizza Express. On Wednesdays, it entitles you to a 2-for-1 deal on main courses - PLUS free garlic bread or doughballs each. Whoohoo!