MORE than 100 youngsters from a college in Winchester have completed a business challenge set by some of Hampshire's best business brains.

The 130 A-level business studies students from the city's Peter Symonds College were set the task by members of Winchester Rotary Club.

As well as being asked to secure the successful reopening launch of the city's theatre Royal in the test, the students were also let in on some top tips from business leaders from across the region.

The students' task was to interview a fictional 'client' and then compile and present a tender for a dinner to mark the reopening of the multi-million-pound theatre.

To heap on the pressure, the youngsters were also given only four hours in which to draw up their business plan, assess its feasibility, prepare the sales pitch and get their facts straight.

Several awards were on offer to the best proposals, including best team job and individuals who showed the most business flair.

Ian White, immediate past president of the Rotary Club, said: "By entering into the spirit of role-playing exercises, students can reinforce the skills they have covered in tutorials.

"Each can experience how, as individuals and in teams, a business situation can be developed to their advantage or otherwise."

Alex Day, head of business studies at the Owen's Road college, said: "Students always get a lot out of this day.

"It is a real opportunity to develop business skills in a realistic scenario. Student feedback about the day was extremely positive, with some of our students telling us things like 'It was really great to gain the experience and I know it will help in the future'.

"However, our favourite remark was: 'I ended up with high blood pressure and a headache . . . now I know what my dad feels like when he gets home'."