GIRLS at Walshaw High School, Burnley, have come out tops in a scheme to link schools and the world of business.

A group of year 11 pupils beat competition from across East Lancashire to take the club of the year title in the Compact awards.

The scheme is an agreement between pupils, schools and businesses. Under it, young people score points for attendance, punctuality, course work, work experience and other achievements.

The 16 award-winning Walshaw girls were the members of the school's Compact Plus club, set up to help deserving pupils who, for varying reasons, may not be successful without assistance.

Teacher Pam Myers told the Citizen: "Terry King, a careers officer, comes into school to run the club, and his enthusiasm is the driving force behind it.

"The group undertake activities such as team-building exercises, services to the community and planning fund raising efforts. The members elect a board of directors, with chairman, treasurer and so on, and the club is run like a business.

"For the competition they had to complete CVs and application forms, attend interviews, and make a promotional video and a poster."

Walshaw also won first prizes in the video and poster categories and chairman Karen White was judged most improved member in Burnley and Pendle.

The awards were presented in a special assembly.

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