YOUNG entrepreneurs from two Penarth schools have been recognised for their innovative business initiative at the Young Enterprise Cardiff & Vale Finals.

The teams from Stanwell School and Ashgrove School were named winners at the regional finals of the Young Enterprise awards at City Hall, Cardiff.

The scheme enables students to set up and run their own business enterprise over the course of one academic year. They then present their ideas and results at the regional finals in hope of securing a place in the all-Wales awards later this year.

The event saw 14 teams present their business enterprises to be judged, with Steve Williams from Confused.com as MC for the night.

Team ‘Topnotch’ from Stanwell School won ‘Best trade stand and interview’ and ‘Best overall company’ for their innovative recycled wetsuit cases for phones and ipads.

Ashgrove School was named regional winner on the night after setting up a café which attracted members of the general public as paying customers when it was opened. The team even invested in an extension to be built onto the school for The Ash Café.

Judges were impressed by the professionalism Ashgrove School displayed highlighted by the fact they borrowed £7,000 for the extension and are already in profit. Ashgrove Café MD, Joe Blackley, received the ‘Best individual contribution’ award for his extensive knowledge and passion for the café.

The teams will now represent Cardiff and the Vale at the Welsh finals to be held at the Welsh College of Music and Drama on June 18.

Sarah John, commercial director at the UK’s leading recruitment and training group Acorn, was part of the judging panel.

She said: "The two teams showed such enthusiasm for their businesses and thoroughly deserve their place in the Welsh finals."

Acorn's marketing manager, Sarah Jones, was appointed to the Cardiff & Vale Young Enterprise Board.