Budding entrepreneurs are being given the chance to boost their business development by applying for grants of up to £3,000.

The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Graham Cartledge CBE DL, and Nottinghamshire Community Foundation are inviting applications from Mansfield and Ashfield.

Mr Cartledge and six local ‘business dragons’ want to award successful enterprise ideas a grant, plus potential investment.

The dragons include John Radford, Mansfield Town Football Club; Irvin Robinson, Mansfield Business Centre/Mansfield 2020; Peter Gadsby, Ark Capital; Rob Atkinson, Uni-2 / Caterway; Chris Lightbody, Longbow Venture Capital; and Nick Linney, The Linney Group. Organisers said applicants must be resident in Ashfield or Mansfield and be able to submit a realistic business plan.

To find out more go to www.nottscf.org.uk/grants/dragons-den

All applications must be submitted by 9.30am on 30th September.