A TEENAGER has rubbed shoulders with royalty after visiting Buckingham Palace to receive a national business award.

Eleanor Bullough was presented with the Ultimate Tycoon in Schools Award by Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, after setting up eco-friendly arts and craft shop Boo’s Bits and Bobs.

The 14-year-old from Baldock was declared the winner in December after a nationwide campaign set up by Peter Jones, star of BBC1 entrepreneurial programme Dragons Den.

“I am so proud that my business, Boo’s Bits and Bobs, has won Tycoon in Schools and I was so happy to be able to receive my award at Buckingham Palace,” said Eleanor, who is a student at The Da Vinci Studio School in Stevenage.

“The awards ceremony was amazing I loved meeting Peter Jones and His Royal Highness The Duke of York and talking about my business with them.

“I will continue this business using the £1,000 investment from The Peter Jones Foundation and I am currently designing new products keeping with the biodegradable and organic theme, like cards, paper craft, bags and clothing. I am really pleased to have been able to take part in Tycoon in Schools and to get Boo’s Bits and Bobs started.”

Mr Jones added: “I have been completely overwhelmed by the hard work and dedication that I have seen throughout the competition.

“We received thousands of entries for Tycoon in Schools 2012, and the young people awarded today proved themselves to be the very best. They represent a generation that has more passion and ambition than any other generation in history and I want to congratulate each and every one on their success.”