THE achievements of hundreds of schoolchildren in the world of business will be honoured at a presentation evening in the North-East next week.

Aspiring enterpreneurs from across the Darlington and Teesside areas who have taken part in the Young Enterprise scheme during the past year will be presented with prizes for their efforts.

As part of the scheme, groups of schoolchildren set up their own businesses, conduct market research, market and sell their products, and keep the profits.

Young Enterprise aims to raise awareness among young people about the world of business and the opportunities within it.

The youngsters will be making presentations about their companies in front of an audience at the Samsung factory, in Wynyard, near Billingham, on Thursday, May 8.

They will be meeting with other companies and comparing products, and displaying their products and discussing their companies with guests.

They also get the chance to enter the Innovation Awards competition, where their company report is judged with their presentation, display stand and products.

The companies winning at local level progress to the national finals in London and then on to the European finals, in August.