YOUNG people at Bolton School proved they are more than a match for Lord Alan Sugar after helping to create 600 hampers for needy families this Christmas.

Sixth-formers were asked by Bolton-based Urban Outreach to raise enough money to buy 600 Christmas puddings and 600 variety packs of biscuits for the hampers — in just three weeks.

It is the first time so many hampers have been put together at once.

Twenty teenagers divided into two teams and swapped the classroom for the boardroom to come up with money-making ideas.

They appeared on local radio asking for support, organised fundraising activities in school, negotiated with retail giants and the night before the deadline busked outside Bolton railway station.

Katie Devine, aged 16, said: “I volunteered to take part because it was about helping people, which I wanted to do.

“It was only afterwards I realised the enormity of the task. We had to be very organised but there were times when we were worried and I had a few sleepless nights.

“But we were determined to do it and made enough money from busking to get the remaining goods.”

Zoe Cockerill, aged 17, added: “We all pulled together and worked as a team.

“We were determined to do it because it was for such an important cause. The hampers will be delivered today by volunteers from the police, local churches and other organisations.

Dave Bagley, chief executive of Urban Outreach, said: “Bolton School has made history. It is the first time ever that so many hampers have been put together.

“I am extremely impressed and my van has never been so full!”

Sophie Entwistle, a teacher in Bolton School Girls’ Division and head of community action at the School, added: “I am so proud of the pupils. They have pulled out all the stops. I didn’t think we were going to quite make it, but the girls and boys convinced me we would do it. The students have been relentless in searching out the very best deals at supermarkets and have enjoyed the entrepreneurial aspect of the challenge.”