A YOUNG entrepeneur from Wirral has won a place in the final of a prestigious international business competition.

Alexander Jarvis, 19, from Upton, will be among 24 finalists taking part in 'Your Big Year', a free contest designed to test entrants' skills in communication, charity fund-raising and entrepreneurial spirit.

It received 44,333 entries from 168 different countries.

Alexander will join the other finalists in Liverpool on November 13 and take part in the grand final of the competition during Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 15-21.

The prize is a life-changing opportunity to travel the globe for a year - expenses paid, working on education and conservation projects.

It was launched in July and was open to entry to adults worldwide. Contestants took part in various on line challenges over the four month period.

Alexander is the director of Entrepreneur Club UK and joint director of ICTS and previously had an import business.

His dream job would be to be a Broker at the London Stock Exchange.

He entered the competition by participating in one of the online challenges called 'Raise To Win' and Alexander organized a fundraising event and made it through to the final.

He said: "I entered the competition because I saw it as a great opportunity. I am also motivated by anything that involves enterprise and am really looking forward to taking part in the final."

Chris Arnold, chief executive of Smaller Earth, a Liverpool based leadership development firm who created the competition, said: "Alexander reached the final by being the fastest contestant to answer the 24 questions. He has an enterprising spirit which is what this competition is all about and if he wins he will act as an ambassador for Your Big Year and have the chance of meeting world leaders, as he travels the globe."

At the end of the finals week in November, the two best performers will win the prize and explore the world together. Travel, accommodation and living costs will be covered.