Birmingham City Council has launched its own version of Dragons' Den to encourage staff to be more entrepreneurial.

Employees will form teams to pitch business ideas to a panel of senior managers, councillors, service users and external sponsors in order to receive funding to improve the council's service to the community.

Applicants can pitch for funding of between £1 and £1,000 and prospective initiatives include building a sensory garden at a children's nursery, reading sessions at schools and community tea dances for the elderly.