A BOOK promoting business in and around the Wychavon district has been touring schools and colleges in the area in an attempt to share the positive message from businesses featured inside it.

Grow in Wychavon features 52 businesses from the district and their owners.

It has been on tour and there have been nine sessions at five institutions, where they receive interactive and exciting sessions to inspire entrepreneurial spirits.

Fiona Narburgh, head of strategy and communications at Wychavon, has been taking the book on its tour.

She said: "At each visit I took local businesses with me and the response has been phenomenal. A big thank you to all those businesses who got involved."

So far feedback from the schools has been positive and each student has been given their own copy of the book and had the chance to watch the associated films.

Toby Wilcox, a year 12 student at Pershore High School, said: "A really enjoyable lesson. I’ve learnt anything is possible if you keep working to achieve your dream."

Elspeth Van Der Hole, fashion photographer based in Droitwich Spa, added: "It was an absolute delight and a pleasure to have the chance to talk to business students and young prospective entrepreneurs.

"Not only have I hopefully opened their eyes to business opportunities in the local area, but it’s also made me want to do more for the younger generation interested in starting up on their own businesses."

And Paul Chadwick, head of business studies at The De Montfort School in Evesham, added: "Thanks to Wychavon and the businesses for all the effort they put in to organising the recent visits, it really was appreciated.

"I've had the follow up lessons with the pupils now and I was really pleased with the amount they had taken on board."