Eight teams of teenage entrepreneurs will lock horns in a bid to be named the best school company in north and west Oxfordshire.

The youngsters, who have been running companies under the Young Enterprise scheme since last September, will be making presentations and demonstrating their goods and services on Thursday <<april 30>> at the event in St Mary’s Church, Banbury.

Sue Priest, chairman of the North Oxfordshire Young Enterprise Board, said: “With a wide range of innovative products and services, these young Alan Sugars and Anita Roddicks would give most business rivals a good run for their money.

“We’ve had a very strong field this year, with eight excellent finalists. We’re expecting a great night, with some fantastic business ideas on display.”

Under the Young Enterpise scheme, backed by the Oxford Mail, youngsters set up and run businesses for an academic year to learn key skills and experience preparing them for the world of work.

Two teams from the north Oxfordshire heat will compete again at the county final on May 20, against other local school companies.

The teams involved are Atom from Bloxham School; Plant Tots from Bicester Community College; Roxsolid from North Oxfordshire Academy; Cokethorpe Corp from Cokethorpe School; Polkadots & Bobs from Chipping Norton School; Fuse from the Warriner School, Banbury; Click 12 from Kingham Hill School, Chipping Norton and Jack of All Trades from Batholomew School, Eynsham.