AN AMBITIOUS young entrepreneur from Westbourne has earned the chance to pitch her cake business to star of Dragons’ Den Peter Jones CBE.

Kristen Bird, 17, studies with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy at Bournemouth and Poole College and has been selected as a finalist for this year’s National Entrepreneur of the Year award.

With a chance of winning an investment of up to £5,000, she will present to a judging panel chaired by Mr Jones at his central offices in Marlow next month.

“Getting through to the pitching round is really exciting but extremely scary” said Kristen. “I have watched Dragons’ Den for years and know that they really grill you, but I’m prepared and know how big an opportunity this is.

“Having the chance to showcase my ideas and everything that I’ve been working on over the last few years to someone so influential is amazing.

“The £5,000 would allow me to buy some new equipment that will help me to increase production and take my business to the next level.”

Kristen’s company, Kristabella Bakes, specialises in luxury wedding cakes, cupcakes and dessert tables.

She said she hopes to eventually open her own premises, selling coffee and baked goods, and then branch into non-food products such as bakeware and tea towels.

“I’m very passionate about the business and I’m determined to make it a success” she added.

Run by the Peter Jones Foundation, the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy is a network of colleges that deliver courses in enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Mr Jones said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing our six finalists in person. The quality of submissions we’ve received for this year’s award has been absolutely outstanding and picking just six to go through was a real challenge.

“The high standard is testament to the depth of entrepreneurial talent that we have across the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy network.”

Kristen is in competition for the award with five fellow Peter Jones Enterprise Academy students from all over the country, whose products range from designer clothing to air gun accessories.

To get to the last round, applicants had to submit detailed business and financial plans outlining their ideas, their progress so far and their hopes for the future.

They will take turns to pitch on the day, before facing 15 minutes of close scrutiny from the panel.

Alice Barnard, CEO of the Peter Jones Foundation, said: “These six finalists have not only come up with exciting ideas, but they have put in a lot of time and developed strong plans of action. Some of them are already trading successfully. The final is going to be extremely tough to call.”