EARNING top marks!

That's Prestwich-based design and communications specialists Appleby Bowers.

The company has created a colourful corporate identity for an organisation that forges closer links between the business community and school classroom.

The Bolton and Bury Education Business Partnership helps youngsters understand more about the world of work by offering teacher and pupil placements with local companies and instigating school projects.

Its first-ever corporate mark utilises the partnership's abbreviated title of EBP and incorporates male and female faces to represent a key element of the enterprise, which is communication.

The new corporate identity has already included a series of promotional material, also produced by the Bury Old Road company, which highlights the success of the EBP initiative.

Appleby Bowers specialises in design, marketing and public relations, servicing a diverse range of clients, including food giant Nichols (Vimto) Ltd and national coach tour operator Wallace Arnold.

It has produced a string of recent corporate identities, ranging from an expanding film company to a prosperous transport operation.

Managing partner Bernie Bowers explained: "Our design team has a wealth of international experience in devising new corporate marques across a wide business sector.

"And I feel sure the profile of the EBP will be enhanced greatly by the creative work we have produced."