PUPILS in Abingdon have entered a young entrepreneurs' contest founded by a Dragons' Den businessman.

Boys in Year 7 at Abingdon Prep School have embraced the Tycoon Enterprise Competition, which was set up by entrepreneur Peter Jones of the BBC investment show.

The free contest encourages school pupils aged six-18 to submit a business plan and, if successful, they gain a £400 start-up loan.

Five groups of pupils at Abingdon Prep were given the cash after pitching their respective projects, which include selling homemade dog biscuits and potting bulbs in recycled containers.

They are now trading until December 14, competing against more than 200 enterprises from primary and secondary schools across the country.

Their profits will be donated to Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Those who impress judges the most will be named winners in April and will get to go to Buckingham Palace.

Alison Thomas, who teaches ICT at Abingdon Prep, said: "The boys are so engaged and enthusiastic about the project, it has really captured their imagination."

The boys are selling their products after school and at break times.