SUCCESSFUL business leaders have been helping to create a new generation of East Lancashire entrepreneurs.

They have held workshops at five schools to encourage more young people to consider the idea of starting their own firm as a career.

The scheme is the brainchild of The Alchemy Club, a group set up in October 2003 aimed at 14- to 25-year-olds.

Its chairperson, Rachel Livesey, said: "We have organised a number of presentations from various business people from the area and they have all been well received.

"The whole idea behind the workshops is to show young people what business is all about. It also allows students who have a business idea the chance to learn what it takes to make it a successful one."

The courses were run at Ivy Bank Business and Enterprise College, in Burnley; Edge End High School, in Nelson, and Primet High, in Colne, as well as Mansfield High and Witton Park, in Blackburn.