THE North-East will host the Young Enterprise European Trade Fair this weekend.

On Sunday, more than 300 students from 19 European countries will set up their market stalls at Gateshead's MetroCentre.

The entrepreneurs will compete for awards against 11 companies from the UK, including four from the North-East. As well as the students, 200 business people from Europe will take part in activities during the weekend.

Young Enterprise's chief executive Peter Westgarth, of Wallsend, said: "I was determined that the North-East should host this event - the only opportunity this decade for the UK to host it. There are excellent facilities, such as the MetroCentre, and ambitious plans for regional development. At Young Enterprise we are also set to expand our activity in the region to involve more local young people."

The awards have been provided by sponsorship from organisations including One NorthEast, Business Link, Trade Partners UK, Proctor and Gamble and McDonald's.