TALENTED students from colleges across the region are to go head-to-head in a national competition.
Pupils from North-East colleges are taking part in the Target 2 Point 5 challenge at the Centre for Life, in Newcastle.
The competition is being staged by the Bank of England and the regional heat takes place on November 30.
Competitors have to take on the role of the bank's Monetary Policy Committee and make a live presentation to Bank of England judges.
Each team has to assess economic conditions and the outlook for inflation and decide what interest rate they would like to set to hit the Government's inflation targets.
Colleges taking part include Central Newcastle High School and Durham School.
The successful team will then compete in the national final at the Bank of England in March.
The pupils, aged between 16 and 18, have an added incentive - the winning team will receive the Interest Rate Challenge Trophy and £10,000.
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