PUPILS impressed judges of an enterprise competition so much that they are considering marketing their idea.

Students at Darwen Vale High School and Engineering College won Ritherdon Enterprising Innovations Challenge for their eco-friendly recycling centre.

They will now spend time with the product development team at Ritherdon and Co Ltd, which makes sheet metal enclosures.

The company, in Lorne Street, will help the pupils to progress their idea through the production stages in the hope of turning it into a product for resale.

The concept, the first the school has entered in competition since achieving engineering status, is an eco-friendly method of recycling paper, glass, plastic and metal cans for use in schools.

Howard Ritherdon said: "The very topical Eco-friendly Recycling Centre put forward by Darwen Vale was especially impressive.

"Recycling is a growth area and I'd be very interested in getting into that market."

Judges, comprising bosses from local businesses, chose the design above eight others from across Blackburn and Darwen at Witton City Learning Centre.

David Smedley, from Darwen Vale, said: "The development of a creative approach to real life industrial challenges is an integral part of our college aims and we are pleased to lead this initiative."