HUNDREDS of Glasgow ­pupils are competing for a £3000 prize to boost their business idea.

The youngsters, aged between 13 and 17, have submitted inventions ranging from a device that removes contact lenses to a spray that freezes dog mess to win the youth enterprise contest Bad Idea.

More than 500 pupils entered the competition and the best five ideas will be chosen by an expert panel of business people, marketing experts and public figures and the winners will be ­announced at a ceremony at the SECC tonight.

All five finalists will receive cash prizes and practical help and advice to assist them to turn their ideas into fully fledged, commercial enterprises.

A total of 44 proposals were shortlisted to appear on Squareknot, a crowdfunding platform which aims to help them raise development funding to take their ideas one step closer to reality.

Bad Idea, now in its second year, helps transform the raw, untested ideas of budding entrepreneurs into real businesses, producing goods and services for the open market.

It is supported by Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Institute for Enterprise and is sponsored by a range of businesses including Squareknot.

The programme, which challenges pupils to take their ideas from an 'elevator pitch' to a fully costed business proposition, and is formally accredited by Glasgow University's School of Education.

Anthony Gerrard, 30, a former marketing manager, launched the competition last year and now hopes to expand across Scotland.

He said: "The name of the competition was chosen intentionally to demonstrate that there's no such thing as a bad idea and that everyone, no matter where they come from, has the potential to generate that spark of inspiration to create a successful business.

"Bad Idea aims to give youngsters the support and encouragement they need to turn their ­ideas into reality.

"They are the future of the Scottish economy and we want to help them believe that you're never too young to achieve your goals."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk