A RETIRED businessman who has gone on to help hundreds of young people to launch their own businesses in the last ten years has received a special award from the Prince's Trust at Bedale.

Mr Malcolm McDougall worked in industry for 20 years, and then ran his own business, before joining Business Solutions Bedale, the enterprise agency covering Hambleton and Richmondshire.

Those he has recently guided through the potential minefield of business development as a mentor have included a hairdresser, a belly dancer and a pig farmer who diversified into furniture supply. At present he is mentoring about a dozen other projects.

Now Mr McDougall, who lives in Masham, has had his work recognised by the presentation of a paperweight by Mr Chris Stacey, business development worker with the Yorkshire and Humber region of the Prince's Trust.

Mr Stacey also presented a special certificate to Mr Ian Crowther, chief executive of Business Solutions Bedale, to acknowledge the support given generally to enterpreneurs by the agency.

The certificate was awarded in association with Grant Thornton, a national accountancy firm which is a major sponsor of the Prince's Trust.

Mr Crowther said of Mr McDougall: "He has helped hundreds of businesses to start up and so many people locally are grateful for the work he has done on their behalf."

Mr Stacey said: "Malcolm has not only supported young people through his work with BSB but also on a voluntary basis as a business mentor.

"A lot of young people need help and encouragement to get going in business and Malcolm has played his part in that. He has been consistent, quiet and unassuming about it."

Mr McDougall said: "After I retired from my own business I found I didn't like retirement and started with the agency full-time"