A YOUNG survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami – left orphaned with his three siblings – helped inspire a group of Powys students to success.

The NPTC Group’s Newtown campus – including two pupils from Knighton – took the bronze title at the Wales final of the Global Entrepreneurship Challenge.

The competition sought to find the next generation of entrepreneurs after a 24-hour challenge in Cardiff.

The NPTC Group’s Newtown students developed a business based on their Wow app – offering facts on Welsh food traditions.

One of the students, Natasha Pugh, said: "It’s been a great experience since we entered the challenge.

"From the regional finals to here in Cardiff, we have learned a great deal about business and enterprise and it’s something we can now use as part of our studies and, hopefully, our careers."

They were helped on their way with an inspirational talk from Rob Forkan who set up Gandys – a flip flop brand which supports other orphans – with his brother.

During the two days, the students worked in teams to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test, turning ideas into action and preparing a business plan and associated marketing and to pitch their idea to a panel of entrepreneurs.