A YOUNG entrepreneur who set up his business while studying in Worcester is hoping to scoop a national award.

Paul Johnson, from Brickle-hampton near Pershore, is the 21-year-old managing director of his own firm. He was studying business management and IT at University College Worcester, now the University Of Worcester, when he decided to take a risk and set up IT company Digital Parts.

That was three years ago, now business is booming and he is off to London on an all expenses paid trip for the Daily Mail Young Enterpris-ing Brits competition being held today. "I'm very excited," he said.

"This is great for me and great for the business. "I've never entered anything like this before. It was my dad, Ian, that suggested it."

His Pershore-based company provides computer system support for local businesses, including Train4Security, and Worcester Cathedral.

"The Cathedral has about 30 computers and because obviously you can't drill holes through the walls, the whole system is wireless. We provide a kind of off-site IT department. If they have any problems they just call us."

As one of five finalists Paul is getting the five-star treatment. He is staying in a top class hotel for the night before giving a presentation to knock the judges off their feet.

Chancellor Gordon Brown will host today's award ceremony and the winner will walk away with £1,000.