Alastair Bell has earned a place in the final of an entrepreneurship challenge, run by the Bank of Scotland.

Mr Bell, who founded IT Firm Bell Microsystems in 1997, will now go head-to-head with four other people in a bid to clinch a £5m funding package, free of interest, for three years.

In a Dragon's Den-style scenario, Alastair must present his business case to a judging panel featuring two well-known and incredibly successful entrepreneurs – John Madejski, from Reading Football Club, and Peter Cullum, from Towergate Group.

Other seasoned judges include representatives from the Bank of Scotland Corporate and Deloitte.

The panel will grill Alastair and the other finalists on their future strategy, to decide which business plan is most deserving of the multi-million cashpot.

Mr Bell said: 'We have experienced strong growth since our inception and have now identified areas which are key to maintaining that growth in the future.

'The chance to secure a £5m, interest free funding package is incredible and if we are successful it will support the development of the business and help us realise our future ambitions of targeting new customers utilising our unique IT Lifecycle Management offerings.'

The judging will take place on Thursday, September 11, and will be followed that evening by a dinner and award ceremony at Ascot Racecourse, where the winner will be announced.

Bell Microsystems, an independent IT advice and management firm, enjoys annual revenues of £20m and employs more than 50 staff.

Sharon Rogers, associate director at Bank of Scotland Corporate, praised Mr Bell for his business acumen and said he was definitely in with a shot.

She said: 'Alastair has already been very successful in building the business from nothing but he now has a chance to secure a prize that could change the face of his business forever.

'The judging panel will present him with some tough questions, but I have no doubt he is capable of convincing them of his vision for the future and of the fact that he has the flair and determination to make that vision a reality.'