THE man charged with helping Bristol recover from one of the worst recessions in living memory will be the guest speaker at an education charity awards ceremony.

Colin Skellett, pictured, chair of the newly-formed West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), will be calling on businesses to support the city's schools at an event held by Ablaze.

Mr Skellett, who has more than 40 years experience in the water industry, is executive chairman of Wessex Water,

Roger Opie, chief executive of Ablaze, said: "Our awards ceremony honours and celebrates those businesses and schools which have made a significant input to aspiration and achievement to young people."

Other speakers will include Mark Davies, chief executive of Bridge Learning Campus at Hartcliffe, and Jenny Taylor, head teacher of Horfield Church of England Primary School.

The event on March 21 is being hosted by Rolls-Royce plc at BAWA Club, Southmead.

Awards are being sponsored by law firms Clarke Willmott and Nile Arnall, The Initiative at Business West, the West of England Local Enterprise and accountancy and financial services group Smith & Williamson.

Mike Lea, managing director of Smith & Williamson, Bristol, said: "Ablaze is a great charity that does superb work in Bristol.

"It is important that children are introduced to the business world at an early age and have the opportunity to learn more about the world of work through access to business role models. We are delighted to be able to support Ablaze in continuing its work helping young people in the most disadvantaged areas of the city".

Through Ablaze, more than 1,000 students in primary and secondary schools across the city benefit from one-to-one support from business volunteers who regularly visit classrooms as reading buddies, mentors or number partners.

Ablaze seeks to develop partnerships between schools and businesses.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the event can email enquiries @ablazebristol.org.