STUDENTS at Okehampton College will benefit from a new project working to develop entrepreneurial support for youngsters.

Outdoor Entrepreneurs is a new project between the DR Company, Pegasus Outdoor Ventures and members of the Dartmoor Partnership, which has developed businesses in the area.

Working with the college, the project aims to provide support for young people to develop business enterprises within the area, instead of having to leave their local area to work.

Matt Parkins, senior project officer with the DR Company, said: 'We are really excited that we have the opportunity to work with young people to help them to turn their ideas into reality.

'This is a great chance for Okehampton to lead the way in an ambitious new development that could provide a solid future for some of our young people.'

The project is currently recruiting students from the college and runs until winter 2013.

There will be a number of workshop sessions where students will have the opportunity to hear from people who have experience of developing opportunities in the commercial world.

Through Dartmoor Partnership, a number of Dartmoor-based activity providers will be presenting these sessions.

The students will then move on to follow these people through the stages that they took to develop their enterprise. They will also be able to learn about writing business plans and managing finance for a small enterprise.

The workshops will be followed by outdoor sessions in local woodlands and on Dartmoor.

The sessions will help those taking part to understand how a business plans for seasonal changes, and how they can increase their custom while being mindful of health and safety.

Support is given to those looking to set up any sort of business, indoors or outdoors.

Each student will be expected to complete a log book on their experiences with the project. This information will then be used to help shape future projects in the area.

Outdoor Entrepreneurs has already secured grant funding from Greater Dartmoor LEAF, and other grants are being sought from local funders.