MORE than 80 guests attended a celebration evening organised by GOFISH for young business talent at Trowbridge Town Hall on July 25.

All the successful finalists had presented their products and business plans to the 'Dragons Dungeons' judges, held in the cells at the Town Hall over previous weeks. The prize money, totalling £1,650, was donated by sponsors and supporters including the Trowbridge Area Board/Wiltshire Council, Office Evolution Ltd, Gripit, Hitachi, Howard Travel and Labyrinth Training.

Beverley Glover, managing director of White Horse Employment and one of the 'Dragon' judges, presented the Gripit Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Nicola Davis of Nicola Davis Crafts, who won £500. Two other finalists April Collins, of The Leafy Tea Company, and musician Ben Laver, of Blaver, won £250 each.

Students from Trowbridge College competed for the Office Evolution Business Project Award with a prize of £250, this was presented by managing director Steve Davis to Dylan Coyne for his mobile application The Hunt. The other two finalists Natalia Orzechowska and Jack Ireland each received £100.

Wiltshire College student Natalia Orzechowska, also won £200 in travel vouchers after being named winner of the Howard Travel 'Going That Extra Mile' Award. Nick Payton, regional operations manager of Howard Travel, presented the voucher.

All the students received a framed certificate, medal and GOFISH Stylus pen.

George Daulman,17, a Young Entrepreneur in his own right and marketing and social media manager for GOFISH, said: “The programmes offered have given me confidence, taught me a lot about businesses and how they are run, and my work experience week at apetito, organised by David Baker, has also helped me make decisions on my further education.”

GOFISH offers two programmes, Preparing for the World of Work, which includes CV writing, application forms, interviewing skills, positive attitudes and work ethics and what prospective employers will be looking for, and a programme called 'Do you want to be a Young Entrepreneur?’ with the opportunity to have a stall at the company’s Young Talent Market.

Trowbridge Town Team chair and GOFISH co-ordinator David Baker, said: "The young people thoroughly deserve the success they have achieved. They were extremely professional in presenting their products and business plans to the 'Dragon's Dungeon judges."