AS budding entrepreneurs clad in their finery gathered to collect their prizes, proud family members and colleagues looked on.

Thirteen graduates of the Hampshire School for Social Entrepreneurs hailed the end of their year-long course and the start of their enterprises having successfully completed the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme.

Each student was given mentoring and the chance to network with likeminded people as well as start-up grants of £4,000 helping them to take their ambitions forward.

For Winchester woman Heather Evans, who set up her not-for-profit organisation Biking Bespoke a year ago, the occasion marked a special victory in her bid to bring cycling to the masses.

Ms Evans, 49, of Egbert Road in Hyde, Winchester, said: “The grant has meant I can buy specific bits of equipment and we’ve tried to spend it on strategic things. We have probably spent it all by now!

“Nearly everyone on the course is in the start-up situation and, in some ways, I was a little way ahead of others but the course has been brilliant for the input I’ve had.”

Kate Hadley, 32, of Leigh Road in Eastleigh, runs the community theatre company Tree-Creeper with Jennifer Walmsley and Craig Lockwood.

“The reason we did it was to give ourselves a bit of a platform and learn about the world of business,” she said.

“It was about how we could make our social enterprise work. Funding has really helped with marketing and equipment which we wouldn’t have been able to buy because we are notfor- profit. We’re in a really strong place now and all the better for being on the course.”

Sonia Wilson, 51, of School Road in West Wellow, said: “Last year I came up with the idea of the social enterprise of Populo, offering HR support to local charities. I found out about the course and, in terms of what I’ve got out of it, it’s mostly around the support and the entrepreneurs on the course. We have been having mentoring and we also help each other.

“The grant wasn’t my primary goal but it was helpful to pay for travel, equipment and all the things you need when you start up and it’s given me the boost to move the social enterprises forward.”

Graham Lindsay, group director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We wish success to all the social entrepreneurs graduating from the programme and look forward to seeing their enterprises flourish.”