A GROUP of young entrepreneurs who have been chosen for an international trade fair are practising their sales patter for home customers this weekend.

Before they leave for the Young Enterprise fair in Stavanger, Norway, next month, the four students, from Spennymoor School, will have a first class business opportunity at Gateshead's MetroCentre.

Samantha Heron, David Walker, Kristian Hudson and Gemma Hunter - who make up the company C-Thru - are already taking orders from schools, colleges and businesses for their decorative computer monitor surrounds.

In preparation for their Norway trip, they have researched designs which might be popular there. They have also translated their publicity materials and website into French and German and are now looking for a linguist who can help them with Norwegian.

The group has been supported by Young Enterprise, a national non-profit making organisation which offers students the chance to gain real-life experience in work.

For business advice they turned to police sergeant Kevin Blakey, a former retail manager for Marks and Spencer.

The MetroCentre event is open from 11am to 5pm. Another 33 YE groups from the North-East will be attending.