BUDDING young business tycoons from Bury's schools and colleges will take centre stage next Tuesday (March 27) when the local Young Enterprise scheme hosts its annual final presentation and awards evening at the town's Elizabethan Suite from 5.30-8.30pm.

The youngsters will be competing for the coveted trophy for best overall business and will be judged on their imaginative corporate display and five minute verbal presentation on stage.

A panel of judges from major companies will put the teams under the spotlight and pick a winner on the night.

The young entrepreneurs will then strive towards business excellence, using the lessons learned to help them prepare for the regional awards in Wigan on May 16. For the past six months, Young Enterprise squads in a dozen schools and colleges in Bury have been operating their own mini-companies.

They have been manufacturing and marketing a range of self-produced goods and throughout their stint have received guidance assistance from advisers drawn from the local business community.

Young Enterprise aims to help young people learn vital business skills needed by today's employers, including communication, team work and decision making.

The national educational charity was established in 1963 to give young people a unique learning opportunity to set up and run their own business from September to April.

All the young business boffins gain a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level two.

The local scheme is sponsored by many local companies, including Bolton and Bury Chamber, Milliken Industrials, Chadwicks of Bury, the Mill Gate shopping centre and other firms.

Visitors are welcomed to attend next Tuesday's free event.