A new group was launched today designed to encourage a culture of youth enterprise in the region.

Three high flying entrepreneurial role models, including the 15-year-old managing director of an online magazine, shared their experiences with the audience at the first Young People's Enterprise Forum.

A Celebration of Enterprise, held at Leeds Royal Armouries, also brought together representatives from 19 organisations, including sponsors gas company Transco.

The new Forum will look at ways of promoting enterprise among the region's 1.9 million five to 30-year-olds.

Chairman Adeeba Malik is Bradford's representative on the board of Yorkshire Forward (YF), the Regional Development Agency behind the initiative. She said: "Small and medium enterprises are the lifeblood of the region's economy, with 99 per cent of companies in the region employing under 200 people.

"But Yorkshire and the Humber has the second lowest business birth-rate of the nine English regions, and in order to turn this around we need to create a long-term culture change to value entrepreneurs, enterprise and creativity."

The launch of the forum tied in with the unveiling of a new training manual, Get Into ENTERPRISE, designed to help trainers inspire young people to enter the world of business.

Ten 'master trainers', paid for by YF, will now begin a process of instructing a network of teachers and supporters on how to stimulate entrepreneurship among their students.

Representatives from many of the district's business groups, including Bradford & District Business Link, the Chamber of Commerce and Bradford University, took part in today's launch event.

For more information on the work of the Forum call YF on (0113) 394 9600.