THE cream of the crop of Oldham's budding young entrepreneurs showcased their business skills and acumen this week.

Students from schools across the borough converged on the Oldham College's Grange Theatre in a bid to compete for the chance to represent their home town at the Greater Manchester Young Enterprise Company Programme finals.

Supported by Oldham Enterprise Trust and the Careers and Enterprise Company, teams from North Chadderton, Oldham Hulme Grammar School, Oldham College, Oldham Sixth Form College, New Bridge, Saddleworth School, The Radclyffe School, The Hathershaw College and Oasis Academy Oldham attended the Young Enterprise Oldham Area Showcase event.

They pitched the journey and success of the businesses they launched throughout the academic year - with the help of local business volunteers - through a trade stand, report, presentation and team interview.

Judging the event, which was hosted by Danny Simpson from MID communications, was Dawn Torrington from Doing Biz For Yourself, Dave Meredith from Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers LLP and Andrew Sutherland director of Oldham Council's Education and Early Years.

Award winners of the Oldham final were "Phoenix" from Oasis Academy Oldham for the Best Company Report, "Heavenly Homes" from Saddleworth School for the Best Trade Stand and "ReFresh" from North Chadderton for the Best Presentation.

The two teams through to the regional final on April 18, at Manchester Metropolitan University, were Heavenly Homes from Saddleworth School and UnITe from New Bridge.

Kashif Ashraf ,from Oldham Enterprise Trust said: “This is the fourth year that Oldham Enterprise Trust has supported Young Enterprise in Oldham and we're so pleased that this year we have had the largest number of young people taking part.

"I feel that the future for Oldham is so positive with the talent and enterprise culture amongst young people in town. This truly was reflected at the Oldham final."