THE ties have it - as pupils proved at a school market.

Youngsters at Ashleigh Primary School in Darwen formed trading companies so they could take a week-long look at the world of industry. One class formed the Wacky Tie Company and sold their products in double-quick time, said headteacher Pauline Livesey. Pupils throughout the school performed market research and produced, priced and advertised their goods.

Pauline said: "The parents were supposed to come in at three to buy some of them, but we were sold out!"