Teams of young entrepreneurs who have reached the finals of a competition will be selling their ideas on market stalls in Bradford this summer.

The 31 groups across the district that entered the Step Up Market Challenge had to come up with a product they could sell to the public.

Those shortlisted had to pitch their ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event in front of a panel of judges, which saw the teams in the final given £100 to develop their product, as well as having access to skills workshops and their own business mentor.

The teams, which are in age categories of five to 11 and 11 to 19, now have until the end of May to build their businesses and design a market stall. They will then sell their goods at market stalls in Darley Street in Bradford city centre on Saturday, June 19.

Products on offer include heated huggable teddies, scarves made from recycled materials, hand-crafted jewellery, mobile phone stickers and a thumb-wrestling arena.

Successful traders will have the chance to win a share of prizes valued up to £2,000.

Councillor Adrian Naylor, executive member for regeneration and economy, said: “Some very innovative ideas have come out of this competition.

“It proves that there is great potential for young fledgling businesses to come out of the district.”

This is the first district-wide challenge from the Council’s Step Up Enterprise Team which aims to work with schools, colleges and community groups to develop business leaders of tomorrow.

Step Up Enterprise will continue to support the teams after the challenge to help them take their ideas as far as possible, and mentors will be encouraged to continue supporting them.

One of the teams in the five to 11-year-old category is Warm Hugs Teddies by pupils at Lees Primary School in Keighley.

Their product is cuddly toys with a lavender and wheat bag which can be heated up in the microwave.

They are in need of a local business mentor to help them develop their product and business plan. If anyone can help, e-mail robin.dark@bradford.gov.uk.