A GROUP of budding entrepreneurs from an Evesham school have found a timely way to make money for their investors.

The seven-strong board of KODA enterprise - all sixth-form students at Prince Henry's School - are making and selling foam clocks.

The company, which was set up by selling shares to parents, friends and teachers, comes under the aegis of Young Enterprise West Midlands and is designed to give students a taste of the commercial world.

"We sold shares in the business to raise capital and made the clocks during sessions at school and at home," said director Stephen Smith.

"Now we are selling the product at Christmas Fayres and places like that.

"It has been a valuable exercise for all of us and we are enjoying it tremendously."

The tough lessons of the business world were not long in the learning.

"Initially we canvassed people to find out how much they would be prepared to pay for a clock and the figure we arrived at was £7.99," said Stephen. "That represented a mark-up of almost 100 per cent."

However, in the face of stagnant sales, the directors, headed by Kate Scott, are set to trim their margins and reduce the price to £5.99 - still showing a profit of £2 per clock.

The young directors have been supported throughout the enterprise by link teacher Nick Dowling and his wife, business adviser Helen Dowling of consultants Exceptional Thinking.

"We are optimistic that we will be able to pay our shareholders a dividend," predicted Stephen.