More than 100 teenagers in north and west Oxfordshire have signed up to run their own businesses as part of the Young Enterprise programme.

The students from 11 schools are all aged between 15 and 17 and will take part in the experience of running a company throughout the academic year.

Sue Priest, chairman of Young Enterprise Oxfordshire’s Northern Area Board. said: "The fact that we are practically doubling the numbers this year is staggering. "It is wonderful, not just for the students but also for the volunteers, supporters and board members who worked so hard to organise the new-look Young Enterprise in North Oxfordshire.

"This type of experience is vital, not just to the young people involved, but to the wider community, as many of them will go on to run the successful businesses of tomorrow."

The students, from a variety of backgrounds, will have the help and support of local business people who help to guide and mentor them through areas such as sales, accounts and operations.

They will also have access to a series of seminars, delivered by local experts, on specific business topics.

The best companies from the area will go on to compete in the Oxfordshire county final next May.

The schools taking part are: Banbury School; North Oxfordshire Academy, Banbury; Bloxham School; The Warriner School, Bloxham; Bicester Community College, Kingham Hill School, near Chipping Norton; Chipping Norton School, Gosford Hill School, Kidlington; Marlborough School, Woodstock; Cokethorpe School, Witney and Bartholomew School, Eynsham. Anyone interested in coaching a Young Enterprise company should contact Jeff Lloyd development manager for Oxfordshire at jeff.lloyd@yese.org.uk or see the website www.yeoxfordshire.org.uk.