BUDDING business brains from seven primary schools in Torfaen made more than £2,000 between them in the borough’s first enterprise week.

Held at Pontypool Indoor Market, more than 200 children participated in the event, taking on the role of market traders to sell their own products.

The products were all designed and researched by the pupils themselves, with Cwmffrwdoer Primary School pipping Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School to the first prize.

The overall winner was Mugnificent from Cwmffrwdoer Primary School, who sold out of their uniquely designed mugs within a few hours and had to start taking orders for collection.

The judges were particularly impressed with the team’s solid business plan and the quality of their advert.

Nine-year-old Breyen Hilier from Cwmffrwdoer primary said: I enjoyed designing and making the mugs the most.

“I also liked selling them in the market as people were nice and friendly.”

The aim of the project was to give school children a greater appreciation of business and improve related skills such as design, finance, numeracy and problem solving that will carry over into the classroom.

It was organised by Torfaen council’s economy, enterprise and renewal team, and the schools worked with business sponsors from the local community to research, design and create their products.

They were judged on their business and communications plan, a promotional advert, how well they worked with their business sponsors, and how well they worked together as a team, as well as on their final profits.

Blaenavon Heritage VC School was the runner up, and sold packets of wild flower seeds with a strong environmental message about protecting bees and the environment.

Kady-Leigh Godin, 10, from Blaenavon Heritage VC School, said: “Selling was my favourite part of the week and I would love to do it again.

“We are going to carry on selling our seeds after school to raise more money for the school.”

Cllr Alan Jones, Torfaen’s executive member for business, tourism, leisure and culture, said: “This was the first year we have run enterprise week and I am pleased to say it has been a great success.

“It is a fantastic project and it has been wonderful to see the children so excited and enthusiastic about creating and selling their products.

“It has also been lovely to see so many children and their parents discovering Pontypool Indoor Market for the first time.

“I hope now that they know what is on offer in the market they will come back and take the time to explore the many independent traders we have here.

“I would like to thank all of the schools for taking part, the businesses who sponsored and mentored the schools - Bron Afon, Coleg Gwent, Melin Homes, RWA Compliance, Tesco, The Best of Torfaen, Torfaen council, and Torfaen Leisure Trust.

“I would also like to thank Torfaen Leisure Trust for donating Go Play sessions for the winning school and Limitless in Cwmbran for donating trampoline sessions for the runner up.”

The other participant schools were George Street, New Inn, Penygarn, Garnteg and Griffithstown primary schools and a combined total of £2,337 was raised by the seven schools.