TWO young Hoylake men have reached the final stages of a competition that could net them £50,000 for their business dream - and now they need your help for the final push.

Matthew Cole and Adam Meyers are in the final three north west business hopefuls shortlisted to win the Barclays Bank "Take One Small Step" competition - already beating 1,800 other competitors from around the country.

Their aim is introduce Salad|Bowl to high streets the length and breadth of Britain - franchises which hand deliver healthy salad lunches to working men and women's desks.

The pair are childhood friends who both grew up in Ferndale Road, Hoylake, and later attended Hilbre High school.

The Take One Small Step competition aims to help entrepreneurs across Great Britain take their ideas and turn them into reality.

Adam, 21, who works as a chef at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, said: "We know are an increasing number of people are health conscious these days and yet they're still relying on the same old relatively unhealthy lunches.

"We reckon we've spotted a great gap in the market with real potential, and it seems the judges agree with us!"

Matthew, 22, who recently graduated from university, added: "The business will have a conscience. We'll use Fairtrade goods wherever possible and we'll aim to minimise waste through local charity food donations."

The Barclays judges revealed the finalists a fortnight ago.

The public vote opened last week and will close on June 27.

To read and hear more about Salad|Bowl and to support Matthew and Adam, visit the website from the link below and click on "vote".

You can also register your vote by texting "SALAD" for free to 62555.