ENTERPRISING pupils at a Cockermouth school have been turning their hand to a range of fundraising business ventures.

All Saints' Primary School children have been washing cars, organising bake stalls and discos.

They are taking part in the Bright Stars Challenge, run by the Cockermouth-based Centre for Leadership Performance.

The challenge is open to primary schools across Cumbria, the idea being to engage youngsters with leadership and entrepreneurship in an accessible and fun way.

Each school taking part in the competition receives £50 with a simple instruction: to make it grow to the highest amount possible through investment and creativity over the course of eight weeks by setting up a mini business.

All Saints' deputy head teacher Gareth White said: "We are in week three of our Bright Stars project, which runs until March.

"The Year 6 children have been working hard to raise money and have been involved in leading, designing and planning events towards that goal.

"Last week, the children washed 10 cars and brought in over £70. We have raised over £250 so far.

"The final total will be split between school and the school’s two chosen charities. Our school sponsors a child in Africa currently, so we will split the money between this existing charity and another one to be decided upon."

Each school has a business sponsor on hand to offer guidance where required and visit the school.

"We have been helped by Richard Arnott, director, and Lucy Barwise from RSM UK, who are our linked company for the project," said Mr White.

He is in no doubt about the benefits of the challenge.

"The children gain valuable business skills, such as: budgeting, business planning, forecasting, advertising and running events as well as sowing the seeds for entrepreneurial development," he said.