STUDENTS are being encouraged to create their own business enterprise and trade through the academic year.

The 2018-19 Young Enterprise programme was launched on the Isle of Wight at the Royal Ocean Racing Club in Cowes recently.

The programme enables students from participating Island schools to create their own business enterprise, launch and trade through the academic year.

They will retail their products at Christmas and Spring fayres and face a dragons' den style panel in early 2019 as they pitch for financial investment.

This year's programme has already seen a good increase in the number of schools taking part.

Young Enterprise area manager Victoria Leese said: "There is great excitement this year for two main reasons. Firstly, the programme is becoming increasingly known and popular as more schools join in. Secondly, last year saw Christ The King College reach the final stages, we are looking for some great ideas to keep that success going."

Wightfibre is match-funding the cost of each school to enter. Wightfibre's chief executive John Irvine said: "Giving young people a taste of the challenges and rewards for competing in the world of business is a great opportunity which Wightfibre is delighted to be a part of."

At the launch event, sponsored by Ed-WISE.org, students heard inspirational stories from Dee Becker, of Dee Becker Consultancy, and Charlie Panayi, of Red Squirrel Property Shop.