STUDENTS at a school in Darwen are set to launch their own business venture next week.

The year 10 and 11 students at Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio have established a company called Made In Darwen that prints mugs, T-shirts and phone cases using customers’ own photos or student photography and art work.

The business is being launched and promoted at the Studio Open Evening next Thursday at the school’s refurbished Police Street premises and as a special offer, students are offering everyone the chance to get a family portrait taken and transferred onto a mug free of charge.

Principal Ruth Bradbury said such projects made Enterprise Studio students stand out from the rest and she was delighted with their creativity and hard work.

She said: “As an Aldridge Foundation school we have an entrepreneurial ethos and encourage exactly this kind of venture.

“We also know that employers want to recruit young people who are both highly skilled and ready for the real world of work.

“Made in Darwen is a just one example of how we support our students in gaining the skills and confidence that they need for this.”

Visitors to the open evening will also be able to take a look around the studio, take part in activities and meet students and staff.

The studio is a mainstream school for students aged 14-19 that allows them to achieve qualifications and experience in creative digital media, business, finance and law and health, social and child care.

All students have the opportunity to develop key workplace skills, either by going on regular weekly work placement, or by taking part in in-house projects such as Made in Darwen.

Beki Martin, sponsor governor at the Enterprise Studio, said: “Made in Darwen is just one example of the unique approach that makes the Studio a really special place to learn.”

Applications are now open for students who wish to join years 9, 10 and 12 in September 2016.