A Kent entrepreneur is encouraging people to reduce their food waste, in a bid to go into business with Richard Branson.

Vipul Patel, 42, has entered the Virgin mogul’s Pitch to Rich campaign, in the hope of winning a £50,000 investment and mentoring support.

His concept My Street encourages people to connect with their friends, family and local community, sharing recipe ideas as well as leftover food and ingredients.

The resident of Vigilant Way, Gravesend said: "The idea of reducing food waste will get through to everyone.

"I work in the city and I am around a lot of people who through a lot of food away, because that’s what tends to happen when you cook things for the first time or you are by yourself."

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The dad-of-two said his idea is very topical, with numbers of people using food banks on the rise.

He hopes to combine society’s interest in social media, love of food and increasing awareness of the environment.

Mr Patel, who is originally from Greenhithe, needs to secure votes to qualify for the next round, and a phone interview with Virgin bosses.

He said: "I am the only person on there who has got anything to do with food.

"I think I have got a good chance of going through to the last 50 at least.

"Everyone I have spoken to thinks this is a good idea."

Mr Patel will finally meet Richard Branson if he gets through to the semi-finals.

The winners of the three categories, and the cash investments, will be chosen by the Virgin founder and a team of judges on June 26.

Mr Patel has gained more than 120 votes for his waste reducing idea in just two weeks.

You can view his full business plan and vote online here.

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