South Tyneside College students had to face the 'Dragons' as part of Enterprise Week.

North East Enterprise Bond, in conjunction with the Make Your Mark Challenge 2008 and the college, launched a whole month of enterprising activity, when students boarded Launch Pad to take part in a challenge aimed at developing their enterprising skills.

More than 40 A-level business studies students rose to the challenge and came up with ideas, then presented them to a panel of judges in a 'Dragon's Den'-style pitch.

Samantha Lavery, business lecturer at the college, said: "Promoting enterprise among our students is a key priority for the college.

"So we were delighted to get involved with this North East Enterprise Bond event.

"We linked it in with the curriculum on enterprise and all our students were able to demonstrate their business understanding, as well as develop a real appreciation for real-life business issues.

"The judges were very impressed with their performance. It made me really proud to see how hard the students worked and how good their ideas were."

Dragons included Carole Metcalfe, entrepreneur and member of the UCanB team, and John Goymer – 14 to 19 learner manager at the college.

Ms Metcalfe said: "I was very surprised at how clued-up some of the students were on the basis of putting a business together.

"It gave myself and the fellow 'Dragons' a taste of the wealth of young entrepreneurial talent which we have in the region – and what we have to look forward to in the future when they put these ideas into practice."

Diane Fisher-Naylor, chief executive of the North East Enterprise Bond, added: "It's really important to encourage young people to consider setting up in business as a career choice available to them.

"The day also linked the students up to organisations in the region who provide support to would-be entrepreneurs."

For further information about Launch Pad, contact Diane Fisher-Naylor on 275 5059, or diane.fisher-naylor@northeastenterprisebond.org.