A project set up by Lancaster University’s Student Union is helping graduates turn their off-the-wall business ideas into reality to help secure employment.

The National Studentreports graduates are setting up successful business through a project called Create.

So far, these include a photographer who uses cameras on top of 100ft masts to take aerial pictures, a firm which provides US-style cheerleaders to football clubs and another which allow clients to track the movements of their workers through an advanced GPS system.

Create, a partnership with the university’s Research and Enterprise Services and backed by the Higher Education and Innovation Fund, has so helped launch more than 30 start-ups.

It has also helped existing SMEs in the region increase sales and safeguard jobs.

Michael Payne Lancaster University Student Union President and Chair, said: "The upward trend of graduate unemployment is worrying and we are doing our best to help the situation. The students that come to us have some fantastic ideas and are full of enthusiasm.

"We give them the support to move forward and it is great to see the successful businesses operating today that have turned to Create in their early days.

"The wide range of businesses shows the creativity that exists and can be harnessed."

For more information about Create visit www.create.lusu.co.uk.