The founder of a performing arts company has been named young entrepreneur of the year for the south east.

Joel Kern, managing director of the Woodford Green-based Make Believe, was given the award by the Federation of Small Business (FSB) last week.

He will now compete at the FSB Young Entrepreneur Grand Final at London's Waldorf Hilton on May 21.

He founded the company in 2004 at the age of 15, teaching five youngsters to sing, dance and act. Make Believe now has 30 schools across the south east and has taught 2,500 children.