A TEENAGER whose fitness app won worldwide acclaim has bowled over businessmen with her ingenuity and determination.

Lydia Jones, a 17-year-old student from Widnes, was invited by the NatWest Bank to join a panel of entrepreneurs at the old Granada Studios.

Alongside gin distillers, tech experts and tailors she discussed how to start a business, dealing with limited budgets and whether it is possible to be too young to become an entrepreneur.

“I didn’t know I was going to be on the panel until I got there but I wasn’t intimidated,” said Lydia, from Cronton.

“We were asked about the emotional side of getting a company off the ground and our goals before starting a business.”

Lydia, who studies computer science at Priestley College, was asked to appear on the panel at the ‘I Am Entrepreneur’ event after applying for support from Entrepreneurial Spark which is supported by RBS/NatWest.

The day after her presentation she discovered the decision makers had heard her every word during the panel discussion.

Lydia still had to pitch for support from the world’s largest free business accelerator but had already made a big impression and was successful in her bid.

She will now have access to Entrepreneurial Spark’s Manchester hub for at least six months including free office space, access to contacts, a start-up bootcamp as well as dedicated mentoring from local KPMG advisors, workshops and training.

“This is an amazing opportunity for myself and my co-founder Daniel,” said Lydia.

“We have a new idea that people seem quite excited about so we are looking to push that forward now by growing our team.

"I believe with us both being young and self-taught this gives us a huge advantage especially within the Manchester tech scene.”

Lydia’s FitFlash attract thousands of followers from as far afield as America and China.

The app allows users to create their own comprehensive fitness journal keeping track of workouts and setting personal goals.