AN AMBITIOUS programme to recruit 50 people with the ability to become millionaires has been launched by a Tees Valley entrepreneur.

Jeff Fitpatrick, 47, from Darlington, has launched the scheme to put something back into the regional economy in the wake of job losses at Lafarge, in Weardale, and Black & Decker, in Spennymoor.

Mr Fitzpatrick is head of Walker Hall Associates, a business start-up, development, marketing and IT company with offices in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Durham.

He bought the business for £100,000 with support from the banks, putting £10,000 of his own money into it in the process.

Now he is volunteering his time and knowledge to point the candidates in the right direction by developing three essential ingredients.

He lists these as:

* Dream - A clear vision of what they want and why they want it;

* Team - A network of partners and supporters;

* Theme - A million pound idea, product or service.

He said: "I am looking for people with the drive and ambition to succeed. They do not have to have a lot of money behind them because we can access funding through loans and grants.

"What we will hopefully achieve is a self-help group for would-be millionaires."

Mr Fitzpatrick claims to have been inspired in his latest venture by the advertisement supposedly placed by Sir Ernest Shackleton when he was looking for volunteers for his polar expedition.

He said: "The advert, which apparently read 'Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in the case of success' is seen as one of the most successful want ads of all time, with hundreds of volunteers coming forward.

"The description in the advert has always sounded to me just like aspects of going into business."

Since it was established 15 years ago, Walker Hall has helped more than 5,000 business to grow.

In the past year since Mr Fitzpatrick bought the company it has expanded beyond all recognition.