A TENNIS serving machine, a wedding planning package and a scheme to track performance in sport were among the business ideas students at University College Worcester pitched to a panel of entrepreneurs.

The college has been working with regional businesses and organisations to 'inspire and inform' students through its Bizcom and EnterpriseFest initiatives.

In Bizcom, enterprising students were asked to submit a business proposal and present it to panellists, which included Christine Jones, chief executive of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Each business idea was scrutinised for its novelty value, investment potential, the clarity of the plan and its ease of implementation.

Steven Nettleford, a third year Media and Cultural Studies student won the first prize of £2,000 for his web portal plan for the arts. His idea will now be entered into a regional final to compete against winning designs from other West Midlands universities.

Other ideas impressing the judges included a bowling machine for practising tennis shots, a business supplying a complete events package for weddings, and a sports tracking system designed to monitor and optimise performance.

EnterpriseFest was a free exhibition aimed at any Higher or Further Education students interested in a business career, starting up a company, or help in developing a business proposal or idea.

Keynote speakers at the event included Cecil Duckworth, the chairman of Worcester Rugby Club and UCW honorary graduate who founded Worcester Heat Systems, which later become Worcester Bosch.

Event organiser Andrew Corcoran said; "Setting up a business can be a daunting prospect. These events are just some of the ways that UCW tries to encourage entrepreneurship."