Young entrepreneurs from primary schools across Furness and Cumbria have transported their innovative ideas from the classroom to the market.

They have raised almost £17,000 for worthy causes through the Bright Stars business competition.

The Bright Stars competition, organised by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP), provided 34 primary schools in the region with a £50 stake to ignite their social enterprise ideas.

They came together with 31 businesses, who acted as mentors guiding the children through the creation and implementation of their business over an eight week trading period.

These businesses, born from the creativity, teamwork, and leadership of the students, had the dual purpose of impacting their community positively and turning in a profit.

Sarah Glass, the executive director at the Centre for Leadership Performance, said: "Schools and businesses understand the need to connect children at an early age with the idea of doing something for others and making a difference to your local community.

"That is something businesses do every day and Bright Stars provides a natural link so that the children can learn, develop their own leadership skills and have great fun.

"Bright Stars helps to shape the workforce and entrepreneurs of the future, and the children showed their promise by once again rising magnificently to the challenge with their partner companies."

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Barrow created Love, Strength and Hope bracelets  (Image: Supplied)

The Bright Stars competition generated a barrage of impressive initiatives from the students.

These included handmade bracelets symbolising love, strength, and hope from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Barrow, dance and football classes at Askam Village School, and a life-saving water safety campaign orchestrated by Netherton Infants School.

The winners of the 2024 spring/summer segment targeted several categories, among them; Best example of teamwork and collaboration, Best example of leadership, Most profitable social enterprise, Best demonstration of being a great communicator, Best marketing idea, Best example of technology use, and Most positive long-term impact.

Allonby Primary School notably took home the award for the 'Most profitable social enterprise' generating a whopping £3237.28 profit.

The children organised a variety of events from an Easter Bingo Night to a 'Curry and Auction of Promises' evening.

Netherton Infant School was lauded for their 'Best example of technology use'.

Pupils showcased their communication skills alongside their technical prowess by deploying PowerPoint and video presentations to raise awareness about water safety in schools.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School stood out for their 'Best example of leadership'.

Students showcased exemplary leadership skills, appointing a CEO and teams for finance, production, marketing, and design to run their socially-conscious Buzzing Bracelets enterprise.