The No Limits Enterprise Challenge was launched to find local people with a promising idea, or dream to start their own business who just needed that bit of support to get them on their way.

Budding entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to a panel of business advisers, headed up by enterprise guru Iain Scott at Burnley's Turf Moor Enterprise Haven.

This was followed by an intense series of workshops which helped the would-be business men and women formulate their ideas and investigate what was needed to help them start a successful venture.

The final five entrepreneurs have now reached the end of their workshop and training programme and have formed close working relationships and are now ready to carry on working as a team to help each of their businesses start, grow and succeed.

• Ian Mitchell has turned his business idea into a successful reality, when he established his 'Gleaming Cleaning' conservatory cleaning business two months ago.

• Paul Harrison has invented a household recycling bin and since accepting the Enterprise Challenge; he has secured leads and is currently liaising with potential contracts. Paul said: "The Challenge has been a fantastic opportunity for all of us; it's great meeting people who are in the same situation as you and think like you."

• Future driving instructor, Irene Kelly, has been inspired by No Limits to come off long-tem sickness to pursue her dream of starting her own driving school.

• Domola Moronkeji benefited by discussing his complex product (using Geographic Information System (GIS) as a planning aid for land developers) with the group and working out ways to promote and sell the service. Domola said: "In the first group session no-one could get their heads round what my product did but since brainstorming with them, it has helped me clarify how to explain the complex mapping service."

• Former artist Keith Thompson plans to make use of his inventory skills and is going to send DIY portable stoves to third world countries which will be revolutionary for people caught up in natural disasters or residents of poverty stricken villages.

Cath Howly, No Limits Enterprise Island Challenge leader said that the Challenge has been a huge success and that all the participants have benefited from the experience.

She said: "We've had great results from the group; they're incredibly enthusiastic and I have every faith in them that their businesses will go far."

The Enterprise Challenge programme is funded by No Limits, which has secured an initial £30m of government funding to regenerate the Pennine Lancashire economy through supporting new and growing businesses, creating up to 13,000 jobs and 4000 companies over the next decade.

No Limits is a partnership which includes Lancashire County Council, the local authorities of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle as well Burnley FC, Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers.

To find out more information about No Limits please call 0800 612 2029 or visit www.no-limits.org.uk