TWO teams of budding school entrepreneurs are selling their wares to the public in a challenge similar to TV's The Apprentice.

Around 30 year 10 pupils at the Education Village in Darlington have been divided into two teams and will compete against each other in this Sunday's challenge.

The teams have each been given a stall at the Love your Local Market event from which to sell goods they have produced.

The event, which will see 70 stalls in Darlington town centre, is part of National Markets Week and will be replicated throughout the country as part of activities following Mary Portas review of the high street.

Through Foundation for Jobs each team has been given a budget with which to buy the materials they need and have to draw up a business plan to ensure they turn a profit.

As in the TV show, famous for Lord Sugar setting a task each week, each team have given themselves a name and picked a project manager.

The winning team will receive a treat following the event.

Academagic are producing tie-dye T-shirts and tops to sell on their stall, while Haughton Designers will sell slogan mugs and T-shirts.

Mohammed Choudhury, communications officer for Academagic, named for the school getting Academy status, said: "We saw a gap in the market for tie-dye, it has come back into fashion after being popular in the 1980s.

"We expect people who are trendy and people who understand fashion to want to buy them, from the age of 11 and up. We wouldn't rule anyone out because everyone has a fashion.

"We are only going to be there for the one day so it is customers only opportunity to buy them.

"Anyone buying one gets a unique T-shirt or top that is hand made.

"We are definitely looking forward to the day and are positive it is going to be a success."

Danny Luck, communications office for Haughton Designers, said the team was looking at slogans such as "Who's the daddy" for its range of mugs and T-shirts.

"On the Sunday we will be selling high quality mugs and T-shirts." He said.

"If people don't come on the day they will miss out big time. They won't be able to have their cup of tea and see the slogan which puts a nice smile on their face.

"I think our team is raring to go on the day."

The teams will trade between 11am and 3pm on Sunday.

Foundation for Jobs, launched in January, is a joint initiative to tackle youth unemployment involving Darlington Borough Council, The Northern Echo and the Darlington Partnership, of public and private sector organisations.

An important part of the campaign is to give young people a taste of business and entrepreneurship while still at school.

For further details on the campaign contact coordinator Owen McAteer at owen.mcateer@darlington.gov.uk