BUDDING young entrepreneurs from De La Salle School scooped a business-boosting £1,000 bonus after wowing experts in a Dragons Den-style event.

Boutique La Salle, a business created by year nine and 10 students at De La Salle in Eccleston, uses recycled materials to create vintage-themed gifts and treats with a 100 per cent profit margin.

They were awarded top spot in the competition by Adam Corbally, star of BBC1’s The Apprentice, after impressing him and fellow ‘Dragons’ from Helena Partnerships, St Helens Chamber and St Mary’s Market.

More than 2,000 students from schools across St Helens took part in the Starship Enterprise competition, which encouraged innovation and new business ideas as part of Helena’s five-year commitment to support work, learning and training opportunities for young people. The event was organised by Helena and the Chamber.

Other finalists were: l Cowley International College: Dos Discos & Dates To Remember – personalised items such as key rings and mugs at pocket money prices.

St Cuthberts Catholic Community College: Slender Ideas – a wristband which allows the wearer to accrue points by exercising and later exchange them for games console rewards.

  • l St Augustine of Canterbury High School: Tabletania – a portable, splash-proof mount for using iPads and other tablets around the house.
  • Haydock High School: Sweet Tweets – a range of allergen-free cupcakes suitable for vegetarians.
  • Rainford High School: Give-A-Gift – custom-made selection boxes for birthdays and other occasions.
  • Rainhill High School: P. Kennels – customised kennels for dogs and other pets.
  • The Sutton Academy: Butter Stick – Spreadable butter in a mess-free stick.

Adam Corbally, who reached the final five during his stint on The Apprentice, said: "I was proud to be part of the Starship Enterprise competition and could feel the excitement in the air all day.

“The only part of the event that ran over was our Dragons’ deliberation as we were so impressed with the quality of the ideas that it was really tough to pick a winner.”

Liz Haworth, executive director business transformation at Helena, said: “Boutique La Salle has a very marketable product range and presented their proposal extremely well, with a good balance of creative, financial and marketing skills.

“We wish all the students who took part the best for the future, and hope they are inspired to pursue entrepreneurial careers.”

The St Helens Starship Enterprise is part of a competition organised by The Airport Group, an alliance of 14 housing associations in the north of England.

De La Salle now go head-to-head with winners from the other regions at the overall finale in Old Trafford in May.