THE imagination and innovation of budding young entrepreneurs was on display at a Christmas fair with a difference.

Pupils from more than 20 schools across County Durham and the Tees Valley area have been honing their business skills by running mini-companies.

Just like the great names of big business, these classroom enterprises have managing directors, issue shares to shareholders and pay dividends on their profits.

And at Durham City's Town Hall, the teenage tycoons were trying to tempt Christmas shoppers with products they have designed and made themselves.

Blue Moon, a team of nine girls from Staindrop Comprehensive School in County Durham, came up with the idea of decorative surrounds for light switches. They feature cartoon characters such as Bart Simpson and Winnie the Pooh, as well as Sunderland and Newcastle football shirts.

Team member Emma Robson said: "We just came up with the idea ourselves. They are selling really well."

Durham Sixth Form Centre's Trash 2 Treasure firm made novelty clocks out of crisp packets and drinks cans.

The company's managing director, Michael Snowball, said: "It was everyone's idea, really. We wanted to get to a recycling theme and do something that was environmentally friendly.

"They are novelty items and a lot of people seem to like them."

The event was organised by Young Enterprise, which is encouraging youngsters to get practical business experience and advice from professional business people.

Development manager Janette Marquiss said: "We have had a lot of people visit the fair despite the weather. There are some really good ideas around."