THEY'VE taken top marks!

That's Prestwich design and communication specialists Appleby Bowers.

For the Bury Old Road company has created a striking corporate identity for an organisation that forges closer links between the business community and the school classroom.

Earlier this month, Bolton and Bury Education Business Partnership (EBP) launched its "Adopt a School" scheme.

Appleby Bowers created the eye-catching corporate mark that spearheaded the scheme aimed at encouraging local businesses to focus specifically on just one school and build a prosperous individual relationship.

Embraced within the visual creation is the depiction of three children celebrating with arms aloft. It is combined with a linked letters design to re-inforce the partnership approach.

The black, yellow and red logo is being used on general stationery and brochures as well as a range of promotional material.

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

It has produced a string of corporate identities, ranging from international blue chip companies to medium-sized enterprises.

Managing director 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 creative work we have produced will play a major role in the success of the new division of the Education Business Partnership."

Director of Bolton and Bury EBP, Charlotte Chadwick revealed there had been "an injection of true creativity" from Appleby Bowers.

She commented: "What has really impressed us has been the superb team effort from everyone at Appleby Bowers, not just one or two people, which has really heightened the project's importance. The quality of the work is simply superb and the range of options has been outstanding."