The entrepreneurial efforts of more than 100 students from Watford schools have been celebrated in the first stage of a national Young Enterprise competition.

Ten Teams of students from local secondary schools took part in the charity’s Watford Area Finals at KPMG on Wednesday (March 26) after taking part in a Young Enterprise scheme to set and run their own businesses for a year with the help of business mentors.

Students from team Take 2, Watford Grammar School For Girl and team Magnacarda, Merchant Taylors’ School were named the "Best Companies in Watford" and will now go through to the next stage of the competition - the Hertfordshire Final on Tuesday, June 10, at Hertfordshire University.

Take 2 manufactured out of recycled stock bespoke hair accessories and bow ties while students from Merchant Taylors produced and sold gift cards.

Katy Burke, Young Enterprise Business Manager for Watford, said: "More than 350 teenagers from across Watford have taken part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme this year and set up a total of 25 businesses with help from local business volunteers.

"The standard was very high at the final and The two companies from Watford Grammar School for Girls and Merchant Taylors’ School have now been voted the best of the best and I wish the winning students luck in the next stage of the competition.

"The Awards highlighted how Young Enterprise can inspire young people to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow and help them develop practical business skills while they are still at school.

"I want to thank all the students who took part in the Area Finals for their hard work this year."