FOUR hopefuls tried their luck in front of Fenland’s business dragons... but none of them walked out of the den with the cash.

The scheme, run by enterprise experts NWES and modelled on the BBC Two show, offered young entrepreneurs the chance to win a package of funding and business support worth �5,000.

But after hearing four pitches at Young People March, the dragons decided not to invest the cash.

Instead, all four entrants will receive business support from NWES and accountants Whitings and Partners to help get their ideas off the ground.

Paul Gardner organised the competition with support from Roddons Housing Association and Fenland District Council.

He said: “There were some fantastic ideas presented in the den proving the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in Fenland. Some of the businesses had great potential and the dragons were faced with tough decisions to make.

“In the end they decided not to invest the cash, but everyone won a package of business support.”

Among the ideas pitched to Fenland’s dragons was Harrison Salter’s mobile phone app which could help find lost keys.

Max Hubble pitched his flexible admin service and Jeanette Howell went in search of cash to develop her floristry business.

Margaret Sheldon and Derran Guillou even brought animals into the den in the hope of convincing the dragons to invest in their “taxi service for pets” idea.

Mr Gardner said: “Along with Roddons, we’ve already started looking at some exciting ideas for later in the year.

“We’ll be adding the cash we didn’t spend to an even bigger fund that will be up for grabs to help entrepreneurs start their business in Fenland.”