The Prince's Trust is inviting unemployed young people in Cornwall to try out their business ideas and gain new skills to help them get work.

The youth charity is launching a new course for 16 to 19-year-olds next month to help inspire the young entrepreneurs of the future.

The three-day course comes as more than one in six young people in Cornwall are unemployed and out of education – a rate of 17 per cent.

As part of the three-day course, participants will hear from young entrepreneurs in Cornwall to find out the reality of starting a business. They will also take part in a range of interactive workshops to find out how to turn a hobby or interest into a business.

They will then receive ongoing mentoring support after the course to help them explore their idea further. Participants will be able to apply for a £250 grant to test their business idea or take part in further training.

Rick Libbey, regional director for The Prince's Trust in the South West, said: "Every day at the Prince's Trust, we see the devastating effect that unemployment can have on young people's confidence and motivation.

"We are looking to support the next generation of entrepreneurs, and want to encourage young people to consider self-employment as an option alongside training or work."

Courses will be taking place in Redruth, Penzance and Liskeard in March.