JUST dynamite - that's a group of Bury business whizzkids called Explosion who have emerged as this year's Young Enteprise champs.

The 25 sixth formers, drawn from Bury Grammar Boys and Girls Schools, beat seven other mini-company squads to clinch the annual title.

And Explosion will fly the flag for the town next month in the West Pennine regional Young Enterprise awards competition.

Eight Young Enterprise teams, representing schools and colleges throughout the Bury area, took part in this year's awards.

Each sold shares, elected a board and embarked on an eight-month stint involving manufacturing, marketing and selling a range of goods.

The teenagers were supported by volunteer business advisers from a range of employers and each mini-company was run along strict business lines.

The squads also took part in trade fairs, sponsored by the Mill Gate shopping centre in Bury, which helped promote their range of products.

Explosion took the honours after declaring impressive profits of more than £400. The money has been donated to charity.

The team manufactured novelty diaries, hair accessories and other goods. At Tuesday's Bury Young Enterprise awards and presentation evening, each team set up display stands in Bury Town Hall's Elizabethan Suite. Later, the mini-companies gave a comprehensive presentation on stage, underlining their achievements.

Guest speaker was Ramsbottom optician and entrepreneur Angela Campbell, who paid tribute to the teenagers involved in the Young Enterprise scheme.

She said: "I think every young person should get an opportunity to do this. Someone here could become the next Richard Branson."

In his address, the Mayor of Bury Councillor Roy Walker said he was "very impressed" by the display stands .

After the nerve-biting judging, Explosion was selected as the 1998 Young Enterprise winner.

Runners-up were Purple Haze, run by fourth year BGS boys, while third spot was clinched by Bury College's Rising Stars.

Woodhey High School pupil Linsey Marsh (15), was presented with the inaugural Select Education Achiever of the Year award.

Judges were Colin Nichol, Mill Gate centre manager; Elaine Shirt, centre promotions manager; Mark Rae, training consultant and Sam Price of Bolton Enterprise Services.

Hosting the event was Young Enterprise regional development manager Charlotte Caldwell and area board chairman Ron Heath.

A stalwart of Bury Young Enterprise, Mr Heath has stepped down as chairman and Andy Bell of Milliken Industrials is his replacement. Mr Heath was presented with tankard to mark his outstanding service.

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