BOLTON'S innovative "hot house" programme for Young Entrepreneurs is now under way.

Fifteen youngsters have been selected following a large number of applications and they had their first meeting at Bolton Enterprise Services.

The group attended a workshop on negotiation skills and most will attend a residential weekend at the University of Durham's business school in October.

Ross Bullock, the business counsellor at Bolton Enterprise Services, said: "We are delighted to be able to get the programme up and going at last. The businesses are very varied, which can only be a good thing.

"We are all looking forward to seeing the young people benefit from the programme and expand their businesses accordingly."

The scheme is sponsored by a series of firms including the BEN, John Musso Village Nightclubs, ATC Mobile Communications, Bolton and Bury Chamber, Business Link, P G Bogle & Co, Keogh Ritson Solicitors, NatWest, Wallace Printers and Bolton Council.

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