The decision to search for a pocket watch in Croydon, “because it would be cheaper” backfired for contestants of The Young Apprentice in Lord Alan Sugar’s BBC show.

Contestants on the sixth week of the show, aired on Monday November 28, were given a challenge to find and buy ten specific items, in ten hours for as little as possible.

Hayley Forrester and Zara Brownless, both 16, travelled to the borough, by car, taking two hours, in search of a pocket watch, with Hayley asking “Where is Croydon, “and being told “I don’t know.”

Visiting James Jewellery in Church Street, near Reeves Corner, the pair negotiated down from £169 to £145 for a nine carat gold pocket watch, while their rivals in central London bought a timepiece for just £35.

Hayley and Zara, who described the area as “really cheap”, also brought a left handed guitar in Croydon for £110.

Reporting back to Lord Sugar, their team lost having spent more than £500 than their rivals.

Zara said “In hindsight going to Croydon was not the best move. It was totally the wrong location.”

Lord Sugar also attacked the decision, calling it the “very very edge” of London.

Paying the penalty for the decision Hayley, who lives in Shrewsbury, heard Lord Sugar’s famous words: “You’re fired”