YOUNG entrepreneurs from across Blackburn and Darwen showed just what it takes to become the next Richard Branson in the area's annual Young Enterprise finals.

Competition on the night was fierce, with presentations, business reports and exhibition stands on display from five school companies selling products as diverse as miniature rocking horses and book ends to personal alarms for women.

The six finalists were 'Solutions' from Our Lady and St John's High School; QEGS' 'Yes'; 'Rubi UK' from Darwen's Moorland High School; and 'Blaze', 'Spyagonal' and 'Guardian Angels' from Westholme.

The three judges - Training 2000's Roger Harling, Ron O'Keeffe Jnr from Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, and Suzanne Murray from the East Lancs Education Business Partnership - had a tough job choosing the winners.

But the Rubi UK team impressed them so much with their miniature rocking horses and book ends that they named them the Best Overall Young Enterprise Company.

The team, made up of Christine Swanton, Rachael Fairhurst, Kyle Woods, Dana Jundi, Nichola Davis, Mohammed Abdul Karim, Beth Fielding and Paul Sullivan, will now go on to the East Lancashire Finals, to be held on May 7 at Mytton Fold in Langho.

If successful, the company could then compete in the regional finals in Manchester, followed by the national finals in London. The realisation of months of hard work paying off was too much for some of Rubi UK's members, who shed a tear or two after the win was announced.

Managing director Dana Jundi, who shared the post with Nichola Davis said: "We are really proud of the whole team and would like to thank everyone who has helped us, including our link teachers Liz West and Dave Fallaize. It has been a great experience for all of us and we now hope to go on selling our products on a commercial level."

Commenting on the achievements, Peter Weetman, who presented the trophies and who recently retired as chairman on the Blackburn with Darwen Young Enterprise Board, said: "This year produced an excellent standards of entries. It always surprises me how all these young people can improve on past successes year on year and these companies are no exception."

He added: "Young Enterprise gives young people a valuable insight into the world of business and teaches them skills they wouldn't necessarily get elsewhere.

"The judges have had an unenviable task choosing winners this year."

John Shorter, development manager for Young Enterprise in East Lancashire, said: "I would like to say a special thank you to the judges and the link teachers and business advisers who have given their time and expertise voluntarily over the past eight months.

"My hope is that all the youngsters have enjoyed this experience and will carry forward the skills they have acquired into their chosen careers."

A special trophy donated by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for most innovative product was presented to Solutions from Our Lady and St John's.

Other winners:

- Best Achiever Award - Thomas Coyne - Solutions; Blackburn Shopping Centre award for Best Display Stand - Blaze; Porter, Matthews and Martin award for Best Financial Report - Spyagonal; Best Marketing Report - Guardian Angels; East Lancs Chamber of Commerce award for Best Overall Report - Rubi UK; Area Board Trophy for Best Presentation - Yes; Midland Bank Trophy for Best Younger Age Group Company - Solutions.