An East Ham graduate is a step closer to winning a share of £20,000 after reaching the final of a Dragons Den style competition.

Beverly Banahene, 24, who lives in Florence Road, has beaten off competition from over 100 other entrants to get to the finals of ‘flare’, the University of Hertfordshire’s annual business start-up competition.

On Wednesday she will pitch her business idea to a panel of judges in a Dragons’ Den style event. Beverly will go head-to-head against 12 other finalists after impressing judges in the first two rounds with her business idea Bev’s Cookie Desserts, which provides luxury homemade dessert flavoured cookies.

Beverly, who went to Stratford School, in Forest Gate, said: “I am thrilled to be a flare finalist; it’s great to get confirmation that I have a good idea. Throughout the competition the University’s Enterprise Team have offered a great amount of support, and completing my business plan has given me a clear vision for my business. I am hoping to get my cookies into supermarket chains so if I win, the money will be used to pursue that.”

Over 650 people have entered the competition since its launch eight years ago. Over £100,000 has been awarded to 20 finalists. The winners of the competition will be announced on October 10.