Groups of teenagers from Oxfordshire are forming companies as part of this year's Young Enterprise scheme.

Young Enterprise allows school pupils to gain valuable experience of working on a commercial project.

So far this year, 43 companies involving about 700 participants from secondary schools have been set up with help from almost 100 businesses and other organisations in Oxfordshire.

Those involved will, with the help of business people and teachers, make and sell their own products, produce reports, and liquidate their company next June.

Young Enterprise Oxfordshire is sponsored by the Oxford Mail and this year we are holding a competition for the company that best uses publicity to market its product. Company members are invited to develop interesting and eye-catching stories to do with their work which we will publish in Schools Extra.

Members of companies whose stories we publish will be given pens. The story we like best will win the Oxford Mail award, and members of the winning company will be given special souvenir pens at an award ceremony to be held at Culham Science Centre on May 13.

Awards will also be given out for best company, best report, best trading stand, best financial report and best manufacturing company.

John Smith, development manager of Young Enterprise Oxfordshire, said: "We are trying to equip young people to think about enterprise as a career, and learn by doing.

"Those who take part gain an understanding of business and life-long skills like communication, teamwork and presentation."

Entrants this year include two companies from the School of St Helen & St Katherine in Abingdon: Cocktail is making Christmas cards and earrings, while the other company Absolute is making scarves and personalised, decorated underwear.

Stories or articles for the Oxford Mail award can be sent to our Education Reporter, Philip Seton-Anderson, at Newsquest Oxfordshire, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ, sent by fax to 01865 425554, or e-mailed to philip.anderson@nqo.com.

For further information, call Philip on 01865 425428.