THE entrepreneurial efforts of more than 150 students from across Trafford have been celebrated in the first stage of a national Young Enterprise competition.

Students from nine secondary schools took part in the charity’s Trafford Area Finals at Old Trafford on March 21, after taking part in a Young Enterprise scheme to set up and run their own businesses.

It was students from Altrincham Grammar School for Girls who scooped the coveted top prize of ‘Best Company’ for their business ‘Made in Manchester’, closely followed by pupils from Loreto Grammar School whose company ‘Redivivus’ were the runners-up.

‘Made in Manchester’ took their cameras to the city centre, taking photographs of iconic buildings and landmarks, and made a range of notebooks, greetings cards and frames using the pictures. The girls are looking to develop phone and iPad covers to add to their range.

Students from ‘Redivivus’ -a Latin word meaning ‘to regenerate’ - have taken old vinyl’s and turned them into retro clocks, and brought back the trend of tie-dye T-shirts.

Both companies will now go through to the next stage of the competition - the Greater Manchester Strategic Final at The Trafford Centre on May 8 2013.

Neil Smith, managing director of Kinetic plc and vice president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Karen Shotbolt, public relations manager for Manchester United, Doreen Hutton, environmental services manager for The Trafford Centre, and Richard Davies, managing director of Amazin’ Business Solutions Ltd, were the competition judges.

Suzanne Fairbairn, Young Enterprise Manager for Greater Manchester, said: “Another fantastic year and standard of enthusiastic young people representing Trafford.

“All the students taking part demonstrated the business skills they have learnt on their journey over the past six months.

“We wish them the very best of luck for the next stage of the competition.”

The ‘Best Trade Stand’ Award went to ‘Made in Manchester’, while the ‘Best Company Report’ Award went to ‘Innominate’ from Urmston Grammar School. ‘No Ordinary Kids’ from Sale High School won the award for ‘Best Presentation’.

More than 2,300 young people across the North West have taken part in the Young Enterprise Company and Start Up Programmes this year and set up a total of 198 businesses since September with help from local business volunteers.

For more information contact: Suzanne Fairbairn Young Enterprise Manager for Greater Manchester on 07841 880996 email suzanne.fairbairn@y-e.org.uk