Four budding Scots entrepreneurs have been handed prizes worth £250,000 - including rent-free stores in a top Dundee shopping centre - in a Dragons' Den inspired competition.

Scots entrepreneur Michelle Mone teamed up with property investment management company PRUPIM at Dundee's Wellgate Shopping Centre on Thursday to unveil the winners of the inaugural Project Retail initiative.

Three innovative businesses each won a package cover a 12-month rent free period with additional costs including the business rates, service charges and building insurance also covered by the landlords in their entirety for the first six months.

This will enable the winners to invest in other costs such as stock to get their businesses up and running at the Wellgate ahead of Christmas.

The winners were presented with their prizes by bra boss Michelle Mone - pictured above pouring champagne for the new shopkeepers - at the centre.

Clare Satha, from Inverkeithing, Fife, founder of Zion clothing, Cat McGillivray, from Dundee, of complementary therapy business Ethereal Light and Jade Barnett and Lauris Tosh, from Inchture and Dundee respectively, creators of the BECO Boutique will now set up shop in the centre

Each of the winners have been presented with a full shop fit package at the Wellgate Shopping Centre, plus associated marketing and mentoring support from a panel of leading business experts and academics over a three year period. 

The Project Retail scheme was designed to revitalise Dundee’s retail sector and broaden the Wellgate Centre’s appeal.

Michelle, creator of the Ultimo Lingerie brand and founder and co-owner of MJM International, said: "Project Retail gives the entrepreneurs of the future the assistance and encouragement required to get their businesses off the ground in these challenging times.

"The real hard work starts here, but all the successful candidates have exhibited the drive and determination that's essential when establishing a successful enterprise. With the help of the right mentors and Project Retail backing, they are well placed to build sustainable businesses moving forward.”

John Morton, Wellgate Shopping Centre manager, added: "I'd like to officially welcome Clare, Cat, Jade and Lauris to the Centre.  Their ideas and plans came under careful and considered scrutiny and we believe their enterprises will perfectly complement our existing offering.  We very much look forward to Zion, Ethereal Light and BECO Boutique becoming firm favourites with Dundee's discerning shoppers."