Last updated 19:28, Thursday, 27 November 2008

CUMBRIAN students battled it out in a Dragons’ Den-style competition in a bid to impress the county’s top business men and women.

COMPETITORS: Teams at the Lakes College/Carlisle College Dragons’ Den event at The Wave, Maryport

The event, at The Wave in Maryport, saw four teams from the Lakes College West Cumbria and Carlisle College go head-to-head for a £600 cash prize.

The ‘dragons’ panel was Andrew Tinkler, chief executive of Stobart Group, Colin Sharpe, commercial director at the Port of Workington, Keith McMean, a West Cumbrian marketing and design expert, and Suzanne Caldwell, business development manager at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

Carlisle College student Michael Hardy was announced as the winner with his idea for anti-perspirant wipes to be available in bars.

Peter Fallows, 18, of Hunters Drive, Seaton, was part of a team of four who pitched their idea of customised sports clothing.

Peter, a sports student at Lakes College, said: “We’ve all watched the real Dragons’ Den show on TV and it’s exciting to think your idea could eventually make you some money.”

The inter-college competition was run in partnership with A4e Enterprise and Carlisle College.

Staff from A4e spent time with all the teams before the earlier semi-finals, teaching them how to produce a business plan and offering support.

Sarah Asquith-Vallance, business advisor at A4e Enterprise, said: “The competition was a chance for us to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, and with the area’s top business people offering them advice and guidance it was an excellent opportunity for them.

“We’re hoping to roll out the competition to sixth forms in the future.”