AN EXPERT from Enterprise Plymouth has joined practitioners from across the country to launch the UK's first network of enterprising places.

Plymouth was one of the first cities in the country to be invited to join the Enterprising Places Network (EPN), a scheme designed to give people the confidence, skills and ambition to set up in business.

Enterprise expert Andrew Ashley represented the city at the launch event in London, which took the form of a debate on transforming regeneration through enterprise.

"The best thing about the network is that it will be a gathering of like-minded souls", he said.

"We have found in the past that we can benefit from being part of a national network and learn from other organisations which may not necessarily be the same as us", said Mr Ashley.

"By having contact with other organisations we can learn more about the approaches taken to business life and clientèle.

"EPN will bring together those who have transformed their local areas through encouraging enterprise, enabling them to share their knowledge and expertise.

"It will work to create, maintain and encourage entrepreneurship during the economic downturn, and in time will become a valuable resource to other areas who wish to replicate some of these successful schemes.

"Being a network member will enable Plymouth to share useful information and inspirational success stories through a programme of roundtable discussions, informative podcasts and online discussion forums."

The network has been launched ahead of Global Entrepreneurship Week, which starts today and will see thousands of activities across the UK.

One Plymouth entrepreneur will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Richard Branson and Peter Jones, of Dragons' Den, during Enterprise Week.

Nick Palfrey of MOOFU, which specialises in producing media resources for schools, will also appear on BBC Radio 4 to discuss how schools can further engage their pupils.

MOOFU is nearing the launch of Project Zero Film, an interactive game which equips students with the skills and tools to produce videos for revision.

The game was developed with Plymouth schools and will be a key topic of conversation during the London visit.

Nick, aged 22, said he left school feeling that with the right tuition and resources he could have achieved more.

In April 2007 he set up MOOFU with the aim of using technology to help teachers and students like himself.

As part of the week he'll be appearing on Radio 4's You And Yours programme to talk about how schools can help recognise and develop talents which they might currently be failing to spot.

Nick will also take part in a debate hosted by Peter Jones, as well as taking part as a judge at a Dragons' Den-style event in Oxford.

"Not only is this a great opportunity to talk about the Project Zero scheme, but also to highlight the real progress Plymouth is making as place to do business", said Nick.