STUDENTS from York College are hoping to use their business skills to win them a trip to the Big Apple.

Business pupils at the college are taking part in the annual Institute Of Directors export awards scheme.

The students have to submit a report on the export strategy of a local business, including recommendations on how it can be improved.

Last year York College student David Clayton won his category and flew off to New York for a five-day visit.

The scheme, which is being backed by Yorkshire Bank for the sixth year in a row, will see the winners tour the Wall Street Stock Exchange, United Nations and the trading floor of brokerage, banking and asset management firm Salomon Smith Barney.

The runners-up will win trips to London to visit the Institute Of Directors annual convention.

In the running are first year HND business students Ali Lel-zabatta, who is studying the Queen's Hotel in York, and Terri Brown, who is studying the local confectionery industry.

Updated: 10:46 Tuesday, December 31, 2002