CELEBRITY business tycoon Duncan Bannatyne will save his famous grilling for enterprising pupils rather than would-be entrepreneurs.

Students at Darlington's secondary schools are preparing to face Mr Bannatyne and a panel of judges for a Dragon's Den style competition.

Teams from each of the town's secondary schools will pitch their business ideas at the final of the competition on June 29.

The Bannatyne's Bright Sparks event is an education and enterprise competition with a £1,000 prize on offer for the leading school.

Pupils have drawn up their business plans ahead of the final to send out to the panel of judges.

Mr Bannatyne will be joined by Alan Noble, executive director of Northgate, Mike Lakinski, from Business and Enterprise North East and Caroline MacDonald, vice-chancellor at Teesside University on the judging team.

Darlington Borough Council and Durham Education Business Partnership have arranged the competition.

Pupils from Branksome, Carmel RC College, Eastbourne Academy, Longfield, Polam Hall, Hurworth, the Education Village, Hummersknott and Hurworth House will compete for the prize.

Councillor Jenny Chapman, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "I understand that some of the business ideas devised by the pupils are exceptional and that the business plans show just how much work has gone into their entries."