Business-savvy school pupils are set to get creative as part of an online competition which aims to encourage young Spanish people to visit a County Durham town.

The Spanish Apprentice will see teams of pupils have to complete a series of language-based tasks and pitch to win the contract of a Spanish tour operator to bring Spanish people to Bishop Auckland.

Organised by Durham County Council’s International Relations Team and supported by The Auckland Project and Durham University’s School of Modern Languages and Cultures, the free marketing challenge, which is being supported by the University’s undergraduates, is for pupils in Years 9 and 10.

The teams will need to create a two-minute presentation in Spanish that appeals to younger tourists and features what the town has to offer its visitors.

The challenge will involve eight teams from five schools: King James I Academy, St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College and Wolsingham School, which are all in Bishop Auckland, Seaham High School, and Kings Priory School, in Tynemouth.

Tasks include a vocabulary building exercise and a translation challenge while the final phase will see pupils prepare their presentation in Spanish using acquired vocabulary and structures. Language support from student ambassadors will be made available via Zoom or other platforms.

The winning team will need to demonstrate that its members have the commercial sense and ability to use their language skills to support business growth.

The victorious team will win a prize for their school, be hired and their advert shared on social media.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The Spanish Apprentice will be a fantastic experience for school pupils to come up with innovative ideas about how we can continue to increase the number of visitors to Bishop Auckland, which has lots to offer.

“We hope that those taking part will enjoy the challenge and further their knowledge of the tourism and business worlds in the process.”

The challenge will take place online on Wednesday 9 December.

Schools may enter one or two teams of five pupils from Years 9 or 10.

The Spanish language day will be delivered online using Zoom or an alternative platform.