TEN entrepreneurial people have been handpicked to take part in a scheme designed to fast-track their business aspirations.

Enterprise Island offers a three-month development programme designed to help each individual develop the skills needed to build a successful company.

The challenge is supported by individual mentors, Business Link and the support provider network, who are already working with many of the Enterprise Island entrants who did not make it through.

Enterprise Island is run by its creator, Iain Scott, in partnership with the four regional Business Links and One NorthEast, which is funding the challenge.

Enterprise Island is the first step in a larger regional enterprise campaign to encourage more people in the North-East to consider starting a business.

The events campaign phone number, 0800 0711 811, has been launched to act as one point of entry for anyone looking for information about becoming their own boss at events across the region.