Competition stages

Qualifying heats - These are organised by your local trading standards service or its consumer advice section. For the first time this year the competition is available online. To register, complete the details on the 'register to take part' web page to get your unique log-in. Questions are multiple-choice and there is a one hour time limit. Your school may submit multiple teams but each team may enter only once. Your local authority trading standards service will advise the school if your team has qualified for the local or regional final.

Regional finals - Successful teams for the qualifying heats compete with others in the area in a series of regional finals which are held in late spring 2010.

Grand final - Regional winners will be invited to attend the final which will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 15 and 16 June 2010. Teams and their teacher/tutor will be invited to Edinburgh for two days where accommodation is provided along with a social programme for all to enjoy before the grand final. There are prizes for all contestants with the winners also receiving £1,000 for their school and the Young Consumers of the Year Trophy as well as other prizes.

Competition rules

1. The competition is open to teams of four, from schools, colleges and youth groups.
2. Individual team members will be restricted to entering the competition only once.
3. Team members must be in full-time education and aged between 14 and 17 years at the start of the competition in September. They must not have reached the age of 18 before 01 January 2010.
4. Close relatives of trading standards professionals will not be eligible to enter.
5. Where a problem arises substitute team members may be allowed at the organisers' discretion.
6. The organisers' decision is final in any dispute.

Important: Please make absolutely sure when selecting your team that examination commitments will not prevent them from competing in the national final, should your team qualify.

To register to take part in this competition, complete the form on the 'register to take part' web page. You will be asked for the following details when you register for the competition:

• name of school
• email address
• team names

The competition supports consumer education and encourages the exploration of the skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding necessary to become an effective consumer – pre-requisites for active citizenship and full participation within society.