THE Lancashire Business School at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston is hosting the North West Graduation and Networking event in celebration of the success of 250 entrepreneurs from across the region.

The entrepreneurs, from the New Entrepreneur Scholarship Scheme (NES), will receive their awards on Wednesday.

The prestigious NES North West Business of the Year will also be announced

Top North West entrepreneur and Farnworth-born restaurateur Paul Heathcote will join the students as a guest speaker and share his experience of running a successful business in the North-west.

The NES is a part-time business development programme aimed at anyone wanting to start and manage their own business. It helps people from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds by giving them an opportunity to develop their business skills and build their confidence so they can start up their own business.

The scheme, which is run in partnership with Business Link Lancashire, Local Enterprise Agencies and the Princes Trust, provides support, mentoring and funding to help the students start-up and grow their business. Sally Bate, NES Project Manager at UCLan, said: Lancashire Business School is thrilled to be hosting the 2005 NES North West event."

She added: We are so pleased that Paul Heathcote has agreed to speak.

He is a local lad and a real North West success story. I am sure NES scholars will want to come along and hear about his experiences.