A PANEL of fearsome Dragons was faced by young people from schools across Dorset, competing to secure funding for their Young Enterprise businesses.

Held at Barclays House in Poole, 11 teams made a three-minute pitch to a panel of local business representatives, with each Dragon awarding £50 to a selected company.

Ideas ranged from new apps to clothing lines, family games to beauty products and students came from schools across Poole and Bournemouth and as far as Gillingham.

“We were hugely impressed by the quality of the presentations, and the enthusiasm and passion shown by the students for their business ideas,” said Councillor Elaine Atkinson, council leader, Borough of Poole.

She chose to split her funding between Young Minds Alike from Poole High School, who aim to publish a book of inspirational quotes aimed at young people, and Cortex from St Edwards who are selling a Cabin in the Woods kit containing tree seeds for families to plant.

Craig Dunn from accountants Newton Magnus, chose Distinction, a group of 12 students who are developing a line of reflective clothing.

Jonathan Sherman of Humphries Kirk solicitors, supported Shahdi, whose 14 members attend five schools, and the funding will help them develop their Festival Finder app.

Julie Shaw, marketing manager at Hamworthy Heating, and Mark Johns from accountancy firm Princecroft Willis, both chose Cherrie, students from Glenmoor and Winton with their eco-friendly soap ball and sponge.

Timothy Branch of investment company BNY Mellon supported Enigma from Lytchett Minster School who are working on a family music trivia game.

Chris Lincoln, Young Enterprise manager said: “Since the launch of their companies in October, these young people have fast tracked their learning in business, and with support from their volunteer advisers, have created some amazing ideas and turned them into real business propositions.”