Former Colchester Sixth Form student James White joint winner of The Apprentice

Two entrepreneurs, including a man who grew up in Essex, have been handed a £250,000 investment from one of Britain’s most famous businessmen.

James White, a former Colchester Sixth Form student, scooped the prize after being named a joint winner of reality show The Apprentice alongside confectionary expert Sarah Lynn for the first time in the show’s history.

Mr White, who runs an IT recruitment firm, said: “I’m so happy for Sarah as well because it would have been such a shame.

“We’re both just worthy winners and for one to get it and the other not to get it would have been really sad.”

Mr White, who grew up in Rowhedge and started work by washing cars, is now based in Birmingham.

The pair were both crowned winners after Sunday’s series 13 finale which saw them present their business plans to more than 200 experts at London’s City Hall.

Lord Sugar said of the “historic moment”: “I couldn’t make a decision, it had to be both of them.

“They were two genuinely great experts in their field and I’m looking forward to going into business with them.”