Altecnic, a leading supplier of precision heating and plumbing components, has been helping to inspire the next generation of business leaders by sponsoring a competition based on the popular television show, Dragons' Den.

The company’s HR manager, Lesley Bateman, was also among the ‘Dragons' offering advice and expertise to students at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) as they pitched their business ideas.

Stafford-based Altecnic has sponsored the Dragons' Lair competition for the past seven years as part of an ongoing commitment to supporting the local community and young people across the region.

Managing director Alan Sherwin said: 'As a major Staffordshire employer Altecnic recognises that young people from local schools will become the workforce of the future and will be key to our own long-term success. We were delighted to be involved with this exciting competition which really gives young people the chance to explore their business ideas, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.'

Other Dragons in the lair included Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains, managing director at Appointments Personnel, Martin Langhorn of Barclays Bank, Sonia Clewlow, managing director of Purple Cow Training, Sheila Weightman from Breast Cancer UK and Louise Ziemann, manager at The Gordon Banks Sports Centre.

They were asked to critique business proposals put forward by the students, scoring them on their business idea, pitch, market research and forecast income. They then had to select a winning team who received the prize of £70 each to help launch their business idea.

The winning team was ‘Treasure Chest', who proposed opening a toy shop selling educational toys for children.