STUDENTS from Urmston Grammar School has bagged the runner-up prize in a prestigious regional competition for young entrepreneurs.

The team of go-getters is celebrating its new title as runners up of the North West regional final in this year’s Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) Real Business Challenge, after impressing a panel of judges with a campaign to promote awareness of the Special Olympics National Games.

This year’s competition, involving students aged 13-15, was entered by more than 1,000 schools across 11 regions in Great Britain.

Teams of students from across the North West travelled to the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester to take part in a series of practical challenges.

These centred on developing a campaign to support Special Olympics GB, helping to raise awareness for the charity and its National Games, being held this summer in Sheffield.

They presented their ideas to a panel of judges from the worlds of business, charity and education.

Now in its thirteenth year, The Real Business Challenge is designed to inspire and educate young people, helping them gain the skills they need to have a competitive edge in the job market.

The number of schools entering the competition has increased year on year, with this year’s competition reaching more than 100,000 students.

Gina Solimeno, ?education programme manager at Coca-Cola European Partners, said: “Here at CCEP, we’re committed to supporting the education and development of young talent.

"We always look forward to seeing the skill and creativity on show from the students during the competition and were very impressed by Urmston Grammar School’s well designed and thought-provoking campaign to support Special Olympics GB.

"We understand the importance of learning through experience, and it is our aim that the range of hands-on activities students undertake throughout the challenges will help educate, inspire and motivate them, as well as give them valuable insights into the world of work.”