12830/3BEN Perrett, eight, has proved himself a true entrepreneur after he turned 50p into more than £20 with the application of some ingenuity and elbow grease.

Ben is a member of the 3rd Devizes Cubs and was given a new challenge.

At the start of the Easter holidays, he and his fellow cubs were all given 50p.

They were challenged to spend it wisely and turn it into as big a profit as possible for the Cubs' coffers.

Ben had the brainwave of buying a tin of black shoe polish and he then embarked on a marathon shoe shine exercise. He arranged with Wiltshire Fire Brigade to polish firefighters' boots at Devizes Fire Station.

Ben successfully polished 17 pairs of boots. It took him three hours, although he did recruit some help from his dad, firefighter Mark Perrett, and his 11-year-old sister, Hannah.

Acting Sub Officer Richard Lake said: "Ben did such a good job, we have asked him to come back again and get the shoe brush whizzing."

Mark Perrett was very impressed with his son's work.

He said: "As you can see from the picture, Ben got a really good sheen on those boots.

"It was all his idea. He has always been impressed by the turnout of the firefighters at Devizes station.

"He thought he could earn a few bob for the Cubs by cleaning their boots for them.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Ben followed me into the brigade. It has been part of his life since he was a baby."