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±«Óãtv Two's Dragons' Den series is going back to the classroom in a bid to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs across the north.

Year 10 pupils from schools in Bolton, Bradford, Burnley, Lincoln and Sunderland will each be set a business challenge by one of the Dragons.

The pupils will work together to develop a fully costed business proposition by the end of June and will receive mentoring from the Dragons' Den production team to prepare them for that all-important pitch. They'll then take that famous walk up the stairs to face the Dragons in their Den.

But in a change from the usual Dragons' Den programme, the school pupils won't find out whether their pitch has been successful straight away.

On 11 July the wait will be over. The pupils will attend a special screening of Dragons' Den at the ±«Óãtv's new home in the north of England – MediaCityUK in Salford Quays. They'll get the chance to see their performance in the Den on the big screen and find out which of the Dragons are "in" and which are "out".

No money will be invested in the business propositions, but an award will be given for best idea and best pitch.

Sam Lewens, Executive Producer of Dragons' Den, said: "The Dragons' Den production team are all very excited to find out what the next generation of entrepreneurs can produce, and helping them cope with the pressure of presenting to five of the UK's most successful business people."

Peter Salmon, Director, ±«Óãtv North, said: "Dragons' Den has been one of the biggest success stories of the last decade for ±«Óãtv Entertainment in Manchester and it's great we can use our flagship programmes to engage audiences of all ages. I'm really looking forward to welcoming the schools from across the north to MediaCityUK later this year and wish them the best of luck in the Den."

The schools will have until mid June to work up their idea with help from the Dragons' Den team before they pitch them in the Den.

The scheme coincides with the launch of series 9 of Dragons' Den on ±«Óãtv Two, with new Dragon Hilary Devey joining Theo Paphitis, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Duncan Bannatyne.

JA3