Clitheroe school wins Young Enterprise crown

10:38pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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STUDENTS proved they had what it takes to be the business brains of the future in a young entrepreneurs competition.

Businesses run by pupils - selling stress balls, personalised jewellery, school leaver books and language aid DVDs were among those highlighted at Ewood Park, Blackburn, last night.

And a group of 20 year 11 students from Clitheroe Royal Grammar School won the Young Enterprise Company of the Year title for East Lancashire.

Their business, called Accent, provides foreign language CD ROMs and key phrases on a key ring for anyone studying French and German.

They beat teams from Haslingden High School, Ribblesdale High School Technology College, Clitheroe, Darwen Moorland, Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green, Pleckgate High School, Blackburn, Norden High School, Rishton, Our Lady and St John Art College, Blackburn, St Christopher's CE High School, Accrington, and Witton Park High School, Blackburn.

Accent was picked over MTB, from Stonyhurst, which creates jewellery and a rugby stress ball with wooden kicking tee, and Accelero, from Ribblesdale, which aims to teach primary school children about global warming through board games and a 10-week school course.

Young Enterprise North West is a charitable organisation which delivers programmes to ensure future generations gain enter-prise skills at a young age.

Clemmie Brown, 16, from Chipping who was the managing director of Accent, said: "I am really proud that we have won. It has taken a year of hard work from everyone in the company.

"They were such a great team and it was a lot of fun."

Specialist language teacher Andy Carson, who helped run the business, said: "I'm really pleased because it reflected the hard work and determination they have put in."

Special guest Paul Crone from Granada TV congratulated all the contestants for their hard work throughout the year.

Accent will go on to the North West finals to be held on June 30.