Oscar the owl was enlisted by budding entrepreneurs to grab the public’s attention for their book promotion.

Oscar, an Asian owl, was guest of honour for a group of teenage business people running a stand at the Young Enterprise trade fair at the Templars Square shopping centre, in Cowley, Oxford.

The girls, from Oxford High School, invited Oscar to help promote their book, Frideswide the Owl, which they have written and published themselves for their company, Eclectic.

One of the 11-strong team, Rosie Hore, 16, said: “We had a bit of trouble finding a real owl and we had to get permission for him to appear, but it has been well worth it.”

The book tells the story of Frideswide and his international adventures as he tries to find out what the most precious thing in the world is.

And Oscar clearly helped generate sales, with more than 30 books selling in the two hours he was there.

In total, Eclectic has sold more than more 200 copies since it was formed in September.

Rosie added: “We have already broken even. It has been hard work, but great fun.”

The next target for the team is to develop international sales with contacts being made overseas.

Another Oxford High School company, Spice, has also published a book – It’s Crunch Time – a practical guide to life for teenagers with subjects ranging from make-up to studying.

The team of 12 have managed to secure tips from actresses Sophie Dahl and Miriam Margolyes as well as author Jilly Cooper, and have sold more than 200 copies as far afield as the United States.

Joint managing director Alice Eccles, 16, said: “We have learned so much from the responsibility of having to run our own company.”

A La Mode, a team from Our Lady’s, in Abingdon, were pinning their hopes on the success of their hand-made noticeboards.

Marketing director Sarah McCarthy said: “We did some market research and made them ourselves and business has been good.”

A total of 11 firms set up stands at the trade fair as part of the Oxford Mail-backed Young Enterprise initiative – a scheme which encourages youngsters to set up and run their own companies.

Organiser Lynne Shepherd said: “I have been really impressed by the innovation, enthusiasm and commitment shown by all the companies.”