BUDDING business stars turned up at a garden centre to pitch their products to the public.

Thirteen Young Enterprise companies representing schools throughout the Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch set up their pitches in the trade fair at Webbs at Wychbold, near Droitwich selling a wide variety of products from home decorations and handmade candles to wooden laser cut wine racks.

Webbs chairman Ed Webb said: "It was great to meet so many aspiring business entrepreneurs and see their products. I hope the fair at Webbs has encouraged them to move forward with their businesses and into the world of retail."

Young Enterprise is the UK’s largest enterprise education charity and its Company Programme, a flagship learning experience, is for students aged 15 to 19 and starts at the beginning of the academic year. Participating students form their own business, then develop and market a service or product.

Clean Cut from Tudor Grange Academy, Redditch, received the best product award; Inceptum of Baxter Colleg, Kidderminster won best sales and marketing; and Fired Up Gifts from North Bromsgrove High School won best customer service award.

Julia Neale, Young Enterprise area manager, said: "The students taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme were very fortunate to have the opportunity to hold their trade fair at Webbs again this year. It was a really successful day in terms of what the students have learned from the experience. To see their merchandising and selling skills was fantastic as some of the students had not experienced engaging with the general public before.”