Student's cash-raising net scheme

Alex could graduate with a million dollars in his bank account

A college student who hopes to graduate without debt by selling $1m dollars worth of internet advertising space has already made $74,000 (£43,500).

Alex Tew, 21, of Cricklade, Wiltshire, who will go to Nottingham University in October to study business management, launched milliondollarhomepage.com.

Companies choose from the one million pixels on the site and buy their own for one dollar (60p) each.

"I have lots of investment ideas but want to be sensible," he said.

'Minimum investment'

One of Alex's three elder brothers left university owing £30,000, prompting him to a firm decision not to slide into the red.

"I was up late with my notepad when it came to me," said Alex.

The website has a grid of 10,000 boxes, each 100 pixels (10 by 10) in size.

Customers can place advertising logos on the purchased space, linking web users to their own websites.

If his site succeeds, he should leave university with $1m (£543,615).

"I don't believe it," he told BBC News Interactive. "It doesn't really sink in, doesn't make sense.

"They are sold in blocks of 10 with a minimum investment of $100."