ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly mouse mats, CD clocks and a pioneering bath alarm will be featured in a showcase of the UK's enterprising young business talent. The items will be on sale at the Young Enterprise Trade Fair in Bolton town centre next weekend.

Young people from 16 local schools, colleges and youth clubs will be joined by about 500 others from across the country displaying their products inside a marquee on Victoria Square.

And after a day of hard selling, they will be entertained by up and coming Bury pop band Al!ve.

Band member Andy Ross was himself involved in a Young Enterprise project last year.

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

They will put their sales skills to the test when trading begins next Saturday at 10am after the event is officially opened by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Peter Finch.

Products being sold also include photo frames, jigsaws, jewellery, key rings, purses, candles, pots and novelty items. The fair is open to the public from 10am-4pm. Al!ve will perform for the young "traders" in the Festival Hall on Saturday evening.

Young Enterprise development manager and event organiser Charlotte Caldwell said: "This event is the first of its kind to come to Bolton. It will be a wonderful opportunity for the town to show off the business talents of its youth and offer the town's facilities and attractions to the many visiting teams."

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 main event sponsor is Bolton and Bury Chamber and various other organisations have supported the event. They are 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.

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