Teenagers across the district will be testing their business skills over the next few weeks in an apprentice competition.

This year’s St Albans Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge has been launched.

In total 27 teams of Year 12 pupils will attempt to set up businesses over the next five months to make cash for charities.

Each team has been given an industry expert, known in the competition as dragons, who will help them throughout the competition.

Last year the challenge raised £34,606 for 25 local charities and community groups.

Penny Mortimer, project manager, said: “We’re delighted that this year the challenge is bigger than ever - even more charities and community groups will benefit. 

“We have 162 students being mentored by 27 Dragons so this will really make a difference to groups within our district.

“In addition to raising much needed income one aim of the challenge is to encourage the teams to work closely with their paired charity or community group in order to understand their organisations’ beneficiaries.”