A TEAM of student entrepreneurs have a royal appointment after impressing a Dragons’ Den star with the success of their business.

The three-strong group of year nines from Darwen Aldridge Community Academy have been invited to Buckingham Palace after making a profit on the loan from the Peter Jones Foundation.

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Mr Jones launched the Tycoon in Schools initiative last year and finances groups of young people across the country so they could set up their own ventures with the aim of turning a profit from their business idea, including five from DACA.

The team, called Community Kids, made up of Lana Townsend, Braedan Halliwell and Aamna Aslam, raised £425 in profit, a 57 per cent return on the loan through producing a calendar of the area.

They obtained sponsorship from local businesses and sourced the pictures themselves. The profits were raised for a memorial garden for DACA student Kevin Burnett who died at the age of 11 in 2015.

The students are one of eight teams who will attend Buckingham Palace for the awards ceremony on Monday, March 6.

They will pitch their business plan to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Mr Jones and the winner and runner up of the competition will be announced.

Michelle Billington, assistant principal at DACA, said “We are absolutely delighted that the hard work and entrepreneurial talent these students have demonstrated has won them a place in the final.”

Mr Jones said: “I have been bowled over by the ambitious and innovative businesses that have been started.

“The standard has been particularly high this year with thousands of students taking part.

“I look forward to meeting the teams and hearing even more about their businesses in March.”

A spokesman for the national competition said: “In total, more than 2,000 high-calibre students received funding to start their businesses.

“This year, businesses spanned from upcycling to film-nights, e-sports tournaments and printing children’s books.

“The impact in encouraging the nation’s young people into entrepreneurship is clear to see.

“According to a survey 70 per cent feel taking part in Tycoon in Schools has made them want to start their own business in the future.”