BOLTON could become a mecca for honing business skills among the young. That is the aim of the new chairman of the Bolton Young Enterprise initiative, Michael Harrison. The managing director of Bolton-based Harrison Lubrication Engineering is appealing to fellow business people - both in work and retired - to help develop tomorrow's entrepreneurs.

And he said if his plea is taken up it could pull the town round and create a wealth of opportunities.

Mr Harrison wants Bolton to create a whole host of people with the drive and business acumen of the likes of Virgin tycoon Richard Branson.

He has already been active with the Young Enterprise scheme, being an adviser and board member for three years.

But now he has become chairman he is eager to take the organisation to new heights and it comes as more schools than ever before have signed up to the scheme.

He said: "In the next academic year with more pupils joining us, it is vital to have experienced business people to guide and support them along their way.

"This year a Bolton team from Westhoughton High School won through to the national final of Young Enterprise in London.

"Like the other young people taking part across the country they learned vital modern business skills such as decision making, communication and management."

Mr Harrison has taken over from Mark Breedon, who is leaving his job as manager of Bolton's town centre McDonald's to pursue a lecturing career in complementary medicine in Oxford.

Young Enterprise is a national initiative which gives 15 and 16-year-olds experience of running their own business for a year.

The scheme is backed by Bolton and Bury Chamber and volunteer advisers are asked to spare two hours a week between September an April.

To kick-start the new drive an advisers introductory evening is to be held at Ladybridge Hall on September 12.

For more information contact Young Enterprise co-ordinator Charlotte Chadwick on 01257 473738.