BUDDING Richard Bransons and Bill Gates have only a few more days to enter a competition to discover the finest young entrepreneur in the county.

Cash prizes are on offer to winners of the 21st annual Shell Livewire awards, organised locally by Medway Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Medway council, the University of Kent at Medway, Baker Tilly, Business Link Kent and the chamber.

But there is not long to go. Entries have to be in by January 31. The contest is open to young people aged 16 - 30 who have started their own business and have been trading for at least three months but no more than 18 months.

They have to submit a business plan of no more than 12 sides of A4 paper and an entry form available from Steve Lovett at Medway chamber.

An independent panel of judges will then assess all the entries and winners of the Kent stage of the competition will go on to represent Kent at the South East Regional final in May.

Nationally, more than £220,000 is up for grabs. Winners of the regional final will compete for a top UK prize of £10,000.

Mr Lovett said: "The Livewire awards are a fantastic opportunity for young people to win a cash boost for their business and put them in the spotlight.

"It would be brilliant if the national winner of the 21st Shell Livewire awards was from Kent, so come on, get those entries in now and who knows, by June, you could be at least £10,000 richer and be the UK's top young entrepreneur."

Entry details are available from Mr Lovett on 01634 311419.