A graduate from St Albans is one step closer to winning a share of £16,000 after reaching the final of an annual business start-up competition.

Francesca Heath, 24, was one of 100 entrants of ‘flare’ - the University of Hertfordshire’s annual business competition. 

Francesca, of Hall Place Gardens, impressed judges in the first two rounds of the competition with her business idea Skye & Fenn - a quirky, unisex skincare range reflecting the narrowing gap between what is considered masculine and feminine. 

Francesca then went head-to-head against eight other finalists to pitch her business idea to a panel of judges in a Dragons’ Den style event. 

Since its launch in 2005, more than 1,000 students and graduates have entered the competition. In that time over £120,000 has been awarded to 25 finalists. 

The winners of the competition will be announced at an awards dinner on Thursday, October 9.