MESSAGES of support from stars of sport, broadcasting and politics has put County Durham youngsters on the path to business success.
More than 400 children, aged between 14 and 16, attended a Focus 2004 event at St James' Park, in Newcastle, to mark National Enterprise week.
Motivational speaker Watt Nichol reinforced a personal message from Chancellor Gordon Brown urging the teenagers to think positively about their future.
Other celebrities supporting the event included former Newcastle footballer Les Ferdinand, Tyne Tees broadcaster Kim Ingles and Metro Radio DJ Wayne.
During the day, students took part in a spaceship-building enterprise game and sessions on positive thinking, ambition and the importance of self-belief.
Catherine Marchant, chief executive of hosts Young Enterprise North-East, said: "This event is about improving attitudes towards enterprise in the broadest sense, encouraging youngsters to think more positively about becoming enterprising people either as employees or as business starters."
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