PUPILS from schools in York and North Yorkshire will take part in challenge aimed at finding the business people of the future.

Year Ten students from Canon Lee School and Burnholme Community College in York will take part in the Lionheart challenge in Harrogate next month.

Also participating will be pupils from Boroughbridge High School, Easingwold School, Tadcaster Grammar, Sherburn High School, Norton College and Raincliffe School, in Scarborough.

The teams will be given five hours to design and create a product or service with commercial potential.

They will be required to design a business plan and produce a virtual "mock-up" of their idea.

They will then be asked to give a presentation to a panel, which includes the executive director of the North Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council, David Harbourne; the executive director of North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership (NYBEP), Paul Murphy; and the director of education at North Yorkshire County Council, Cynthia Welbourn.

A spokesperson for NYBEP said: "The Lionheart challenge is a trailblazing enterprise event that aims to encourage young people to grasp the opportunity to work with prominent, talented business ambassadors to display their entrepreneurial skills in developing and marketing products and services."

Mr Murphy said: "There has been strong support from schools, businesses and partners.

"Without their contribution and commitment, the event would not be possible.

"The challenge provides a perfect example of partnership working and will help to encourage entrepreneurial thinking in the workforce of tomorrow."

The event, which takes place at the Pavilions, in Harrogate, on June 2, has been organised by NYBEP and is sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council.

The challenge is part of a national event and the winning team will go on to represent the area at a national final in Coventry in June.

For information about the event, phone Amanda Byworth, at NYBEP, on 01904 693632.

Updated: 09:16 Wednesday, May 21, 2003