YOUNG entrepreneurs have been urged to submit their ideas to win an award organised by a Worcestershire accountancy firm.

Baldwins Accountants, which has offices in Worcester, Pershore and Evesham, launched the Baldwins KickStart Young Entrepreneur Awards in 2013 and committed to giving away £10,000 worth of funding and £10,000 of mentoring to the winners for the next 10 years.

The awards, which encourages young entrepreneurs, aged 18-25, to take their first steps in the business world are being run this year with young entrepreneurs again in with a chance of winning the £20,000 prize.

The two runners-up will also be presented with £5,000 of mentoring and accounting advice.

The closing date for entries will be Thursday, August 31, and young entrepreneurs are invited to complete the registration form online.

Ten businesses will be shortlisted and invited to meet an interview panel made-up of the senior management team from Baldwins Accountants, which has offices across the UK including High Street in Evesham, Broad Street in Pershore and Bromyard Road, Worcester.

The three finalists will be invited to pitch their business to an invited audience of more than 450 businessmen and women at a gala dinner.

The event will take place at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, on Thursday, November 16.

This year marks the first time the competition has expanded across the UK.

David Baldwin, director at Baldwins Accountants, said: “This is a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs to make their mark in a competitive business world.

“The whole focus of the competition is to encourage entrepreneurial spirit and give a helping hand to ambitious young people.”

Applications for the Baldwins KickStart Young Entrepreneur Awards 2017 remain open until August 31 at baldwinsaccountants.co.uk/kickstart.