Business savvy pupils from a Norfolk primary school are one of only eight teams announced as finalists for a nationwide enterprise competition.

Eastern Daily Press: Birdie Brunch team members. Picture: Ludham Primary School & Nursery,Birdie Brunch team members. Picture: Ludham Primary School & Nursery, (Image: Ludham Primary School & Nursery,)

Five pupils from Ludham Primary School, near Great Yarmouth, have been announced by BBC Dragon's Den TV star, Peter Jones CBE, as finalists for the Tycoon in Schools nationwide competition.

The announcement recognises and praises the launch of the youngsters' business idea, Birdie Brunch, in October - which centred upon selling hand-made, sustainable, bird-feeders to be used as Christmas gifts.

Ludham Primary School headteacher, Heather Delf, said: 'The Tycoon in Schools competition has encouraged an exciting, 'hands-on' approach to learning.

'By working collaboratively to solve problems, the children have developed their entrepreneurial skills, and gained a greater knowledge and understanding of the connection between work in school, and the wider world.

Eastern Daily Press: Birdie Brunch team members. Picture: Ludham Primary School & Nursery,Birdie Brunch team members. Picture: Ludham Primary School & Nursery, (Image: Ludham Primary School & Nursery,)

'I would definitely recommend this competition to other schools.'

This year, the stakes were higher than ever before, as the competition officially expanded into primary schools for the first time.

It saw teams of pupils as young as five-years-old going head-to-head, starting their own businesses and trading between October and December last year.

Since launching in 2012 Tycoon in Schools has grown by 300pc, with Birdie Brunch being one of more than 150 teams taking part in the competition from across the UK which aims to put enterprise at the heart of the education system.

The aspiring young tycoons from Ludham Primary School received £48 as a start-up loan from the Peter Jones Foundation, and had a final profit ratio of 637pc.

In total, over 2,000 high calibre youngsters received funding to kick start their business ideas.

This year, businesses spanned from upcycling and film-nights, toe-sports tournaments and printing children's books.

Birdie Brunch team leader, Callum Cruickshank, added: 'Before I took part in the Tycoon in Schools competition, I didn't know what 'profit' meant, but now I do.

'This project has really made me want to run my own business.'

Birdie Brunch will attend Buckingham Palace for the awards ceremony on March 6.

For more information and details visit: www.tycooninschools.com .