STUDENTS have signed up for a competition to test their creativity in business.

Several schools have entered the Real Business Challenge funded by Yorkshire Forward.

Entrants come from St Aidan's High School, Harrogate, Harrogate Grammar School, Ripon Grammar School, Boroughbridge High School, Mowbray School, Bedale, Thirsk School, Easingwold School, York, Burnholme Community College, York, and Norton College, Malton.

The event, held as part of Enterprise Week, gives pupils from 64 secondary schools across the region the chance to experience running a business.

The 14 and 15-year-olds will be asked to develop an environmental strategy for Coca-Cola.

The scheme could extend from energy saving at the company's factory at Wakefield, West Yorkshire, to better recycling.

Alex McWhirter, head of enterprise at Yorkshire Forward, said: "The concept of tapping into the expertise of local business people is excellent as their experiences are very relevant and immediate to young people and allows them to gain practical insights into the world of business."

Their work will be judged in October with 12 of them making it through to the finals. There they will have three hours to develop a soft drink from its concept to consumption with help from experienced Coca-Cola staff.