BUSINESS chiefs were today on tenterhooks after hosting judges from the Government's Enterprising Britain contest during their whistle-stop visit to Plymouth.

The four-strong panel toured the city and was shown cutting-edge developments at the University of Plymouth.

And while the judges told The Herald they were impressed with what they had seen, the city must wait until September to find out if it has won the accolade of the country's most enterprising city.

Judge Maurice Helfgott, from venture capitalists Amery Capital Ltd, said: "We are looking for communities and individuals that consistently show they generate the funds themselves to stimulate successful enterprise, that create new models used as inspiration to others, and THAT what they say and aspire to, they deliver."

And he added: "I have been extremely impressed by the changes being made here: the priority that is being put on the enterprise agenda."

The university is leading Plymouth's campaign, after being named South West winner in May.

It is now up against 11 other regional winners.

Mr Helfgott and observers Laurie Jarman, Melody Slinn and James Sandy from the charity Make Your Mark toured the museum, Barbican, Millbay, Devonport's new dental school and the Theatre Royal yesterday.

At the university they were shown its electron microscope, clinical skills lab, the iCUB robot, the Immersive Vision Theatre and the Portland Square Memorial.

The panel then attended a presentation at the Roland Levinsky Building, where they met partner organisations including the Chamber of Commerce, Tamar Science Park and companies such as PR firm Fuel and media organisation GOSS.

In a speech, the university's vice- chancellor and chief executive Wendy Purcell called the institution ambitious and world- class and said it took its inspiration from Plymouth's heritage as a centre for exploration.

She said: "We are developing an enterprising, thriving, creative and successful university in an inspirational and vibrant waterfront city."

Mr Helfgott will only tour one other city, and then meet five fellow-judges in a 'darkened room' where they will each describe what they found and decide a national winner.

Last year Plymouth, as regional winner, lost out to Scarborough, which went on to be named Europe's most enterprising location.

This year, the university won £10,000 for being named regional winner, investing the cash in 'supporting the city's enterprise culture'.

But being named national champ is 'all about the prestige and being a beacon for enterprise', said Ms Slinn.

She said the contest was started in 2004 by the Government with the 'overall aim of encouraging entrepreneurship'.

The charitable Make Your Mark organisation now runs it on behalf of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

Andrew Ashley, of Enterprise Plymouth, said winning the competition would encourage investors to visit the city, perhaps in the next three to five years.

"If they get a good, positive vibe they will think seriously about investing," he said.