REGIONAL chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, Simon Edmondson, was on the judging panel for the Young Enterprise charity’s annual schools’ programme.

The annual event encourages youngsters across the country to become entrepreneurs and set up their own viable profit – or loss – making business.

This year’s winners for the Trafford heats, held at Old Trafford’s Hotel Football, saw a team from Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Urban MCR, take the honours. The team designed a visitor’s guide to Manchester featuring all the city’s best attractions.

Ashton-on-Mersey man Simon said: “It was great to see so many budding young entrepreneurs, brimming with enthusiasm about running their own business. While these events are fun, they show school age children that there’s a world of opportunity out there for those who don’t want to be just an employee and a payroll number.

“There were lots of great ideas on the day but Urban MCR’s guide looked fantastic and would keep anyone visiting Manchester busy and informed. Worthy winners."

Gary Neville, who co-owns Hotel Football, has promised the winning team work experience at the business as part of the prize. The Trafford finalists now go on to the GM Finals later this spring.