BUDDING young businessmen and women showcased their sales skills at the Young Enterprise Fair in Trowbridge on Saturday.

Students from George Ward School in Melksham swept the board with a successful company selling personalised t-shirts.

Teams of pupils from schools across Wiltshire set up companies in October hoping to learn about business management and earn a quick profit at the same time.

The trade fair in The Shires saw several companies compete for the central Wiltshire award and was the first time students have shown their products to customers.

T-shirt business Bellybutton, from George Ward School, scooped top prize, won the over-16 category and received the Labyrinth Cup for Excellence for making the most sales on the day.

David Fina-more, link Young Enterprise teacher at the school, said: "It's a reward for all the hard work they have put in and their excellent organisation. They decided to print personal logos on t-shirts and it proved very popular with judges and the customers. It is a great idea and they have marketed the t-shirts very well."

Leading local business people, including Rachel Denmead of Virgin Mobile, Grant Jeffrey of MP3 Plus and Louise Keenan from the Wiltshire Times, spent the day judging their efforts.

The under-16 category went to Lead Head, a firm made up of pupils from St Augustine's RC College in Trowbridge, who manufacture and sell pencil cases and make-up bags.

Other entrants were Corsham School, Dauntsey's School in West Lavington, St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon, Devizes School, Matravers School in Westbury and Stonar School,.

John Gill, chairman of Central Wiltshire Young Enterprise, said: "The standard was the highest I have seen in the past five years.

"The idea is not to make masses of money but to experience what it is like to run a successful business."

Students from George Ward School are now looking forward to the county championships in April.