Martin Crossman, Ivan Brown and Evelyn Coles put themselves forward for the Pitch Your Project, a contest in the style of the BBC television show Dragons' Den where community projects which aim to improve people's health compete for money.

The three endured a thorough grilling from experts from business, volunteering, health and the media at Northampton General Hospital.

They pitched for £2,000 for the Holiday at Home scheme which puts on a week's worth of entertainment and meals for older people in Northamptonshire who have not had a holiday for two years.

Mr Crossman helped win over the judges by getting into the holiday spirit by donning a knotted hanky and beachwear before enthusing about the mental health benefits of the scheme.

Holiday at Home will now use the money to promote the idea as a franchise so pensioners across the county can get the benefits of a break without leaving home.

Founder of the group Jean Westwood said: "We were thrilled to find out we won.

"What we're about is bringing people together who feel isolated.

"Recently we have had four people who have been recently bereaved and it really helped them.

"The key thing is that at the end of each day they get to sleep in their own bed. Sometimes people don't want to go away from their own home like you would on holiday and this makes them more secure."

Three groups had to impress Deborah Szebeko, Christine Allen of Northampton General Hospital, Jane Dawson of volunteering charity TimeBank and the Chronicle & Echo's Nick Spoors.

The two other groups made impressive attempts to win over the dragons.

Chesspoint wanted the cash to expand the number of venues where chess is played in Northampton which would have mental heath benefits.

Age Concern asked for the money so it could try to recruit volunteers to help Northamptonshire people with HIV/AIDS.

Jane Dawson said: "It was very successful and we were all impressed by all three groups.

"I think it was really good that they all thought of a visual way in which they could persuade us to go with their pitch.

"The Holiday at Home group were dressed up in holiday gear, the Chesspoint group set up a chess board for us and some of them thought to bring along someone who benefits from what they are trying to do," she added.

"All of them benefited from advice they were given by experts.

"The day was able to bring groups together who where very diverse in what they were pitching but were able to learn from each other."