ENTERPRISING students narrowly missed out on a place in the regional final of a scheme to introduce them to the world of business.

Haybridge High School became Young Enterprise champions of Wyre Forest earlier this month and put up another good performance when it's company Spectrum 02 took part in the Worcestershire and Herefordshire final at Worcester.

But in a competition which had an original entry of 67 schools, it was pipped to the post by Kings School, Worcester.

The Haybridge company produced customised candles, flower pots and place mats and impressed the judges with its ideas and organisation. It was so successful it was able to donate £300 to Birmingham Children's Hospital out of its £1,200 profits.

Headteacher Dr Melvyn Kershaw said: "It is a great achievement for young people to run such a successful business and then contribute so much to a good cause.

"The experience these students have gained will benefit them greatly. The YE competition is a clear example of how schools are working hard to provide students with a wide range of experiences beyond the classroom."

YE is a learning-by-doing scheme which enables teenagers to form a company, sell shares, and manufacture, market and sell products before winding up the operation.