YOUNG entrepreneurs with dreams of big business are being invited to join Bolton’s first ever teenage market.

The event has been organised by Bolton Council to give young people an opportunity to showcase their business ideas as well as their musical and dramatic talents for free.

Brothers Joe and Tom Barratt founded the first teenage market in Stockport.

It is now a growing nationwide initiative with more than 25 markets established around the UK.

Young entrepreneurs and performers aged 13 to 25 years old from around Bolton are now being invited to pitch for a spot at the town's first market planned for May 21 where staff from Bolton Market will also be on hand with help and support.

Manager Peter Entwistle said: "We want to encourage as many young people as possible to take part in the event which is offering a free platform for young entrepreneurs to performers.

"Bolton Market and the Bolton Market traders are all behind the initiative.

"It's about the next generation of market traders and showing young people that if you have a business idea or are creative in the performing arts then it is not as difficult as you think to to start up your own business or show off your skills."

The Teenage Market will be on Victoria Square on Saturday, May 21, from 10am to 4pm.

It will take place in the Love Your Local Market fortnight – a national campaign aimed at celebrating market culture across the UK.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “I’m really pleased that we can give young people a free platform to showcase their business talents and creative skills.

“This event will give young people who might already be trading online a chance to trade in the town centre, and get a feel for what it’s like to work in a market environment.”

Co-creator of The Teenage Market, Joe Barratt, aged 23, said he was certain Bolton was full of young entrepreneurs and performers ready to get on board.

He added: “We are delighted that Bolton is giving young people a free platform to get their businesses off the ground and showcase their creative talents.

“The Teenage Market really is the key to identifying a new generation of market traders by making young people an active part of our town centres.”

To apply to be a trader or performer visit www.theteenagemarket.co.uk. There are 15 trader pitches and 10 performer spots available.

Organisers will be in touch with applicants to let them know if they have been allocated a stall.

For more information, follow @BoltonMarkets or the @teenage_market on Twitter or like The Teenage Market page on Facebook.