A GROUP of Teesside students is leading an international hunt for entrepreneurs.

International business students at the University of Teesside are scouring Britain and mainland Europe for brilliant, yet selfless entrepreneurs who do not work for financial gain, but to benefit their community.

It is hoped that by tracking down the most successful co-operatives and community business leaders, organisations in the North-East will be able to learn from or apply their methods.

The research is the idea of Walker Hall Associates, which provides business start-up advice and support in the Tees Valley area through its Start Right in Business scheme, funded by Business Link.

The information will bemade available to community enterprises in the region.

Jeff Fitzpatrick, of Walker Hall, said: "Part of Walker Hall's function is to encourage the formation and development of community enterprise. It seems a good idea, therefore, to track down the best ideas from around Europe and use them to benefit organisations here."

During the next two months, students Karen Hardy, Maria Masterman, Suzanne Dennison, Claire Johnson and Jenny Nichols will conduct a programme of telephone market research.

The girls' initials have been combined to establish the KMSCJ Consultancy, in the university's business unit.

The work will score marks towards the final year of the students' degree studies.

"Hopefully, at the end of it, we will have helped the development of new community enterprises in the region, based on the success of other schemes around the country," said Ms Masterman.