MORE than 100 teenagers gathered in Cowley to give shoppers a glimpse of the entrepreneurs of the future.

The youngsters, representing schools from across Oxfordshire, set up their stalls at the Templars Square Shopping Centre as they competed for the attention of passers-by.

And the fledgling companies operated by students as young as 14 drew praise from teachers and judges from the Young Enterprise scheme of which the trade fair is a key element.

ZaZu from Burford School scooped the Best Trade Stand and Innovation awards for their clocks made from old records.

Meanwhile, members of the Write Green team from Faringdon Community College sold 70 of their colourful keyrings with shoppers eager to snap them up at three for £1.

Team director Emma Garrard, 16, said: “It has been a really good experience. We have learned a lot about teamwork.

“Now we are looking to sell them to primary schools as we think they will appeal to young children.”

Pupils from Wychwood School in North Oxford wrote and published their own cook book as the product for their company Oxograph.

Contributors included the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, who supplied a recipe for a rhubarb oaty pudding, and Michelin award winning chef Michael North, of the Nut Tree Inn at Murcott, who provided a raspberry soufflé recipe.

Company secretary Emily Mason said: “We sold about 10 at the fair and about 100 altogether. We have really enjoyed meeting people and working together.

“We have raised about £600 since setting up the firm and have more than covered our costs.”

The Young Enterprise scheme involves students setting up and running their own businesses through an academic year.

The students are competing to win the county final in May and go through to the regional and national finals later in the year.