Budding business tycoons took over a shopping centre to sell their wares to the public, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Youngsters from 40 Oxfordshire schools took part in the Young Enterprise Trade Fair at Templars Square, Cowley, Oxford, on Saturday.

They sold everything from jewellery, silk-painted cards, candles and clocks to garden furniture, hampers, pens and stationery and decorative glassware.

One group of youngsters made sure they were right up-to-date by marketing their own Internet website designs. And a lucky group from Burford School has scooped a place at the Young Enterprise European Trade Fair, which is being held in Malta on the weekend of March 17 to 19.

Raymond Steele, 16, who attends the school in Cheltenham Road, said: "We have been selling fluffy pens and mirrors. Today has provided excellent experience for us and we are looking forward to the trip to Malta."

Students have been making and selling their products as part of the Young Enterprise Company programme, where they learn about business first-hand through running a real company.

Vivienne Thomas-Keeping, development manager for Oxfordshire, said: "With advice from local business volunteers, the students elect a board of directors from among their peers, raise share capital and market and finance a product or service of their own choice. "At the end of the year they liquidate the company and present a report and accounts. This year we are delighted to have won a place at the trade fair in Malta.

"It will be a fantastic opportunity for the lucky company, but it is not a free gift. The young people will need to fund their own airfare, accommodation and expenses."

Liz Cooper, 17, of Banbury School, told how her group had formed a website design company called Carpe Diem.

She said: "People are showing a lot of interest and we could carry on doing this profess- ionally."

Ricardo Ferreira, 36, a lecturer at Oxford College of Further Education, said his special needs students had enjoyed selling fashion jewellery which they had made themselves. He said: "It's been an excellent experience for them because it has given them a chance to take the lead."

Wendy White, manager of Templars Square, said: "Each year more and more companies come to sell their goods. This year we have reached our maximum of 40 stands."

Young Enterprise is an Oxford-based national charity, founded in 1963 to forge links between schools and industry.

Story date: Tuesday 01 February

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