BOLTON'S most enterprising youngsters showcased their talents on Saturday at a special trade fair.

Young people from 16 local schools, colleges and youth clubs were joined by about 500 others from across the country displaying their products inside a marquee on Victoria Square as part of the Young Enterprise Trade Fair.

Young Enterprise is an educational charity which encourages groups of 14 to 19-year-olds to set up and run their own small company for a year.

The fair, where youngsters got a chance to sell the products they designed, was officially opened on Saturday by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Peter Finch. Products sold to the public included photo frames, jigsaws, jewellery, key rings, purses, candles, pots and novelty items.

The main event sponsor was Bolton and Bury Chamber and various other organisations supported the event. They were Bolton Council commercial and leisure services, McDonalds, Bolton Moat House, Warner Village Cinemas, Modular Display, Aquila Shelters, Burger King Bolton, St Andrew's Travel, R and S Mellis, Debenhams plc, Prontaprint, Marks and Spencer, Scottish Power, Comet, BSS Coaches, Mike Cresswell, Al!ve rock band and the Bolton Evening News.

Helen Hardie, of Bolton and Bury Chamber, said: "Young Enterprise gives Bolton and Bury's young people valuable experience in setting up and running a small business.

"They have a chance to gain an NVQ level 2 qualification and the vital business skills of decision making, communication and business management"

The BEN sponsored the section for Most Innovative Product, which was won by Wellingborough School for a special hand-operated computer mouse worked without a mouse mat by using a button. The team now want to patent the idea and produce the award-winning design.

The overall winner of the scheme, chosen by Bolton and Bury Chamber, was Utopia Rochdale - a group of youngsters who designed a unique soil tester, which tells people if plants need watering or not.

Bolton Evening News Business Development Manager Paul Wild, who attended the event and judged the Most Innovative Product award, said the whole day was a huge success. "There was a similar event in Wigan last year, but it was nowhere near as good as this," he said. "There was a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from the people involved and a lot of good and innovative ideas. I went along at 12 noon and it took me until just before 4pm to decide the winner because there were so many to look at."

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