ORGANISERS of the annual Young Enterprise Programme have announced a new location for this year's final presentations due to overwhelming support last year.

Young entrepreneurs in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley have previously given their final presentations at Mytton Fold Hotel, in Langho. But this year's event will be at Clayton-le-Moor's Dunkenhalgh Hotel on May 7.

Joanne Evans, secretary for the area board, said: "It has got bigger each year and we had people standing around at the back last time so we needed a bigger venue.

"Around 250 people came last year and we are hoping for more than 300 this time."

Pupils from six Hyndburn and Ribble Valley high schools are participating in the scheme and have already given their half-yearly reports to shareholders. The 15 and 16 year-olds have wound down production and are now working on their final reports and presentations.

Joanne said: "The standard gets better every year."

Participants in the Young Enterprise scheme set up their own businesses for nine months with help from local business representatives. They decide what to produce and compete in a variety of events such as designing a newspaper advertisement and attending trade fairs before the presentation evening.

Pupils at Rhyddings High, Oswaldtwistle, have formed In The Picture which produces and sells gift cards; Neon at Rishton's Norden High produces and sells high quality trivets and bird boxes; Bitz & Boltz at St Christopher's CE High, Accrington, produces novelty ornamental creatures from scrap metal; Odyssey, from Ribblesdale High Technology College sells mobiles and wind chimes; Breeze at Clitheroe Royal Grammar makes key rings and Christmas cards; and Sparx at St Augustine's RC High, Billington, produces greetings cards, gifts and decorations.

A trade fair will be held at Oswaldtwistle Mills on February 22 for members of the public to view and buy the products.